List of Laois players set to play GAA in the States, Canada and Europe this summer

James Duggan, Eoin Lowry, Colm Murphy are among the 15 players from Laois

placeholder image — James Duggan, Eoin Lowry, Colm Murphy are among the 15 players from Laois

15 Laois players have secured Overseas Sanctions ahead of a summer playing abroad

Summer has once again seen a host of Laois GAA players take the opportunity to head abroad, combining their love of football and hurling with the chance to travel, experience new cultures and line out for clubs in the US, Canada and Europe.

Whether it’s on a J1 visa or an overseas transfer through USGAA, New York GAA or Canadian channels, Laois players are continuing the growing trend of combining summer travel with sport, taking in new cultures while keeping their skills sharp on the pitch.

There’s a strong Laois representation once again across America, Canada, and Europe. Players from no fewer than 12 clubs are involved this summer, with destinations ranging from Chicago and Philadelphia to Warsaw and Vancouver.

Some of the travelling party have represented Laois at senior level in recent years, including Killeshin’s Eoin Lowry and Portarlington’s Colm Murphy. Laois inter-county hurler James Duggan from The Harps will also play in San Francisco this summer.

The Donegal club in Philadelphia will welcome two Laois senior footballers, while Chicago Wolfe Tones have also secured a pair of footballers from the current County Champions, Portarlington. Vancouver Eire Og, Sean Traceys in Chicago, and Tipperary Hurling Club in San Francisco are also on the destination list, alongside three players set to spend the summer in Warsaw.

This summer is set to be a big one for GAA Championships in the US with a host of high-profile names that have won All-Irelands, including Armagh’s Oisin Conaty, Dublin’s Brian Fenton, Limerick hurlers Shane O’Brien, Cathal O’Neill, Adam English and Clare full-back Adam Hogan.

Here’s the full list of Laois GAA players transferred to America, Canada and Europe for the summer of 2025:

USGAA Sanctions

Matthew Bennett (Rosenallis) to Chicago Patriots

Eoin Lowry (Killeshin) to Donegal Philadelphia

Ciaran Burke (Crettyard) to Donegal Philadelphia

Canadian Sanctions

Dean Brophy (St Joseph’s) to Vancouver Eire Og

John Kavanagh (Portlaoise) to Vancouver Eire Og

New York Sanctions

Colm Murphy (Portarlington) to Sligo GFC

James Kelly (St Joseph’s) to Kerry GFC

J1 Sanctions