Laois GAA teams set for away trips this weekend

Laois GAA fans will get another chance to see the Senior hurlers and footballers in pre-season action as they gear up for the Allianz National Leagues which will begin on Saturday, January 27 for the footballers with the hurlers' campaign beginning eight days later on Sunday, February 4.

Justin McNulty's side take on Wicklow in the O'Byrne Cup Shield, a competition for counties who lose the opening round of the O'Byrne Cup proper. Laois faced Wicklow in the league in 2023 with their defeat to Wicklow costing them promotion and a place in the final due to the head-to-head rule.

Laois' opening round defeat came to the hands of Offaly with Laois in control for the majority of the game before a late push saw Offaly over the line. Meanwhile, Wicklow have played two matches in the competition so far. They were beaten in the opening round by Wexford before beating Carlow in the O'Byrne Cup Shield to set up the semi-final clash with Laois.

The hurlers travel to Duggan Park in Ballinasloe to face Galway having done what the footballers couldn't as they defeated Offaly in the Walsh Cup. Laois controlled the local derby from start to finish and could have won by more with their wide count in double figures. Galway played Offaly in Tullamore last weekend but the game was abondoned after 55 minutes due to the heavy fog that forced many other games to be cancelled. Galway were winning 4-15 to 1-11 at the time with that result now confirmed as the final score. The winners of Sunday's game will come out of Group 3 and into a semi-final.

Laois v Wicklow takes place on Saturday, January 13 in Rathnew GAA (A67 EV91 ) with throw-in at 12pm. Tickets for that game can be bought here.

The Laois hurlers game with Galway is a 1.30pm throw-in on Sunday, January 14 in Duggan Park Ballinasloe. Tickets can be bought here.