Laois hurlers travel to Kerry as they aim to reach McDonagh Cup final

Following Laois' victory over Kildare and Offaly's dispatching of Kerry in Round 4 of the Joe McDonagh, it sets up an exciting final round of games where three sides have the possibility of joining Offaly in the final.

Laois face a daunting away trip to Austin Stacks Park on Saturday evening to take on Kerry as they know a win is a must to have any hope in finishing second in the table. Kerry are in the same position as Laois as they know a win for The Kingdom could also seal a place in the final. 

The only result which will make the Laois game redundant is if Carlow defeat Offaly and should such a result happen, Carlow will take their place in the final due to be played in Croke Park to face off against Johnny Kelly's Offaly side in two weeks' time.

Laois come into the Kerry game off the back of a commanding victory over Kildare, who face Down in a relegation decider in their final group game. Laois were without Liam O'Connell for the Kildare game as the Rathdowney-Errill man was serving a one-match suspension from the Carlow game. 

Willie Maher will also be without his two coaches on the sideline in Tralee as both Dan Shanahan and Eamon Jackman received four-week suspensions from the Central Hearing Committee following the Carlow game.

The last time Laois played Kerry was in 2019 with Laois the victors in Tralee to secure their place in the Joe McDonagh Cup final as Eddie Brennan's side walked up the steps of the Hogan Stand following their win over Westmeath in the final to lift Laois' first hurling honour since their 2013 Division 2A National League title which was also against Westmeath.

Laois versus Kerry throws-in at 5.30pm in Austin Stacks Park in Tralee on Saturday May 13. Tickets can be bought here while the game is also being shown live on Clubber.