Laois Senior 'B' Football Championship Final preview and prediction

This Saturday evening will see the first winner crowned of the Laois Senior 'B' Football Championship with local rivals Stradbally and The Heath competing for glory.

Both sides come into the game off strong performances in the semi-finals as Stradbally defeated Ballyroan-Abbey while The Heath got the better of Ballyfin. In terms of the main championship, Stradbally were beaten in Round 2 by county champions Portarlington after defeating Courtwood in their championship opener. They subsequently lost to Graiguecullen in Round 3 which meant they dropped down the 'B' champioship. In other years, a loss in the third round meant that your championship was over. 

Further victories over Park-Ratheniska and Ballyroan-Abbey have seen them into the final so they'll come into the game fearing no body as they look to add the Senior 'B' Championship to their 17 Senior Football titles. Their last one coming in 2016 when they stopped Portlaoise from winning 10-in-a-row.

The Heath have exceeded all expectations in this year's championship having came up from the Intermediate grade last year. They were unlucky to have been on the wrong side of the result against Killeshin in the championship opener but were well beaten by semi-finalists Graiguecullen in the Qualifiers section. They've since picked up wins over Clonaslee St Manman's in the quarters before sealing their final place with a hard-fought victory over Ballyfin last time out. 

It should be a cracking game with both sides hoping to walk up the steps of Laois Hire O'Moore Park and be crowned the inaugural Senior 'B' Football champions for 2023. 

Prediction: Stradbally