PREVIEW: Minor hurlers host Westmeath in Portlaoise with a Laois LGFA double-header in Mullingar

It’s a busy and important Saturday for Laois GAA and LGFA teams, with three key games down for decision across hurling and ladies football.

First up, the Laois minor hurlers welcome Westmeath to Laois Hire O'Moore Park for a 1.30pm throw-in in the third round of the Leinster Minor Hurling Championship Tier 1 Phase 2.

Laois come into the game following a heavy defeat to Wexford last weekend, losing 6-23 to 1-10 in Portlaoise. That followed a much-improved performance the previous week, where they pushed Galway all the way before falling short by four points.

Having already played five matches in six weeks, manager Brendan Phelan acknowledged that fatigue may have been a factor in the Wexford loss. "I don’t want to make excuses, they were far superior on the day but maybe the fifth match in six weeks maybe caught up with us," he said.

Laois qualified for this phase after impressive Tier 2 wins over Kerry, Kildare and Antrim, but now face a tough task to keep their Leinster hopes alive.

With a -32 scoring difference after defeats to Wexford and Galway, Laois will likely need a convincing win over Westmeath, and favourable results elsewhere, to reach the semi-finals.

Laois v Westmeath throws-in at 1.30pm in Portlaoise.

Meanwhile, attention also turns to Cusack Park, where a Laois LGFA double-header is down for decision.

At 1pm, the Laois U-16 side takes on Dublin in the Leinster final, aiming to build on a strong semi-final win over Carlow. Victory would complete a remarkable week for the county following the Laois minor ladies’ Leinster final triumph over Westmeath.

Laois Ladies v Dublin throws-in at 1pm

Later, at 3.30pm, the Laois intermediate team face Westmeath in a Leinster semi-final, a repeat of last year’s decider, where Westmeath’s fast start proved decisive.

Managed by Stephen Duff, Laois will be eager to bounce back from a disappointing league campaign that saw them relegated to Division 4 despite picking up two wins and a draw.

After coming so close to success in 2025, reaching both the Leinster and All-Ireland Intermediate finals, this weekend presents a chance to reset and push for silverware once again.

Standing in their way is a strong Westmeath side, who were also relegated from Division 2, setting up what promises to be a tightly contested encounter.

Laois Ladies v Westmeath throws-in at 3.30pm