Third time lucky? St Conleth’s battle Portlaoise for Senior county crown
The sides have become accustomed to clashing in the decider
St Conleth’s are aiming to secure their second championship in five years as they face Portlaoise, who are seeking their third consecutive title and a fourth in five years.
Alanna Havill, Aoife Kirrane, and manager Chris Lynch shared their thoughts ahead of the final during the Laois LGFA media night at the LOETB Portlaoise Institute last Friday evening.
“The mood's good; we're all buzzing. This is our fourth year in a county final, so we’re focused on the game, and everyone’s in high spirits. Three years in a row means third time lucky for us. It’s something we’re aiming for, and hopefully, we’ll perform on the day,” Havill said.
Kirrane reflected on their semi-final victory over Sarsfields, highlighting the importance of a strong squad for big games.
“Sarsfields are a fantastic team. We’ve had several tough battles over the years, including a county final four years ago and a few semi-finals. They’re really strong, especially in attack. We knew it would be a tough fight, but we were well-prepared and relieved to come out on top in normal time. The strength of our squad really shone through, and I believe that’s what helped us finish it off in normal time,” Kirrane explained.
A significant boost for St Conleth’s this year has been the return of All-Ireland Intermediate winner Emma Lawlor, who previously played underage for St Conleth’s before moving to St Paul’s.
“Emma is originally a Conleth’s woman, so she’s essentially returning to her home club. We’re thrilled to have such a talented player back in our squad,” Havill added.
Chris Lynch, in his first year as manager of St Conleth’s, noted the strength and competition within his panel.
“It’s my first year here, and there’s a fantastic atmosphere around the camp and in the community. We have around 28 or 29 key players competing for positions, which gives us so many options. We’ve only used four players from the bench in the last game, but that could change next time. The competition is great, and it’s wonderful to have so many committed players,” Lynch said.
He emphasised the high intensity of training sessions, praising the players’ dedication.
“The intensity in training has been incredible for the past month since the championship began. The effort, application, and commitment have been outstanding. It’s great to see, and I’m really happy to be involved,” Lynch noted.
St Conleth’s are facing Portlaoise in a county final for the third consecutive year, but as Lynch said, “finals are there to be won.”
“We’re looking forward to the occasion. Finals are there to be won, and it could go either way. Portlaoise are a strong team going for three in a row, so we’re expecting a tough battle,” he remarked.
A victory on Saturday would hold significant meaning not only for St Conleth’s but for Laois football as a whole.
“It would be fantastic for St Conleth’s, especially with so many young players coming through. It would also be great for Laois football as a whole. We have a lot of young talent, and with Laois now in Intermediate, it’s important to develop them and push for Senior status. It’s about more than just St Conleth’s; it’s about Laois football,” Lynch explained.
St Conleth’s attacking players, including Emma Lawlor and Eva Galvin, have been instrumental in their championship campaign, combining for 3-7 in their victory over Sarsfields. However, Lynch emphasised that success is a team effort, not just about the players on the scoresheet.
“It’s fantastic that those players are scoring, but the real work happens off the ball to get them the ball. While the scorers may grab the headlines, it’s the defenders, substitutes, and those who don’t get to play that put in the effort behind the scenes,” he concluded.