Laois Ladies set for Donegal test in 2024 league opener
Tom Devereux and Billy Kiernan will begin their stint as Laois co-managers
2024 looks set to be a big year for the Laois Ladies footballers as they prepare to get their Division 2 league campaign underway this weekend in the LOETB Centre of Excellence.
Laois had been under the stewardship of Donie Brennan since 2020 where he won an Intermediate All-Ireland title in 2022 as well as gaining promotion to Division 2. Laois competed in the Division 2 final as well as preserving their Senior status for 2024 with a super performance against Cavan.
Donegal will pose a massive threat to Laois in the opener with the Ulster side having been relegated from Division 1 in 2023 and were Division 1 finalists in 2022 where they lost out to Meath. That same year, Meath reversed the result in the All-Ireland semi-final. Donegal's Niamh McLoughlin was named Player of the Year for 2022 so Laois know that they'll be up against in the first game of the season. They too have a new management team with John McNulty taking the reigns from Maxi Curran, who had been in the job for six years.
Laois have also been dealt a huge loss with the news that midfielder Anna Healy is unavailable due to her going travelling. Healy was instrumental in their All-Ireland victory in 2022 and will leave a void in that Laois team. It also represents an opportunity for someone to step up to the mark and try make that that midfield spot their own in her absence.
Laois and Donegal throws-in at 2pm on Sunday, January 21 in the LOETB Centre of Excellence. Tickets for the contest can be bought here.