Former Laois GAA star to take the helm of Laois Gaels fan club
He'll always be a star in Stradbally!
Laois Gaels, Laois GAA's supporters club, have announced that a new chairman will take the role for the 2024 season. Former Laois and O’Dempsey’s footballer Leo Turley had been chairman but that role has now been filled by Stradbally's Colm Begley. Begley had many good years in the blue and white of Laois and also for his club Stradbally.
Begley was part of the Stradbally side which stopped Portlaoise's quest for 10-in-a-row in 2016 on route to winning the Laois Senior Championship as well as being part of the team which won the Senior 'B' Championship this year.
The Stradbally man has been involved with the Gaelic Players Association for some time as a Welfare and Performance Coach. His primary goal is to enhance the standards of welfare and wellbeing within the game, while ensuring they provide our members with the support, resources and environment that assist them to flourish both on and off the field.
Laois Gaels took to social media to announce the news. "On behalf of all Laois Gaels we would like to pay tribute to, and thank our outgoing Chairperson Leo Turley for his work over the past number of years. When Laois called, Leo always answered and we were incredibly lucky to have his drive, passion and business acumen at our core over our formative years here at Laois Gaels.
"We are delighted to announce Colm Begley as our new Chairperson, heading up a committee of hugely motivated Laois Gaels, determined to drive and fuel our Academies as we work to push Laois Football and Hurling to new heights. Colm needs no introduction to all Laois Gaels and the knowledge gained at home and abroad will be invaluable to our plans over the coming weeks and months.", they said.
Turley had been the chairman since the beginning of the year with the O'Dempsey's man having played for Laois in the late 1980s and the 1990s. He has since dipped his hand into management with him guiding his native club O'Dempsey's to Intermediate glory in 2016 as well as winning a Senior and Intermediate Championship with Blackhall Gaels in Meath. Turley
Laois Gaels have just concluded their third full year in existence since the club was established in 2021. The club has surpassed 500 members as well as getting over 30 businesses on board to help them with their main purpose.
The purpose of ‘Laois Gaels’ is to work alongside our county board to raise funds and support for our teams and players to ensure they can perform to their maximum potential. The association provides support to all teams from Laois development squads to senior teams in all codes.
Laois Gaels have assisted six Laois development squads to date which includes 240 squad members and 30 coaches. The Setanta and O'Mhordha Óg programmes saw Laois Gaels assisting in kitting out 400 future Laois GAA stars and close to 100 coaches.