Sinead Farrelly highlights Laois Ladies' determination ahead of All-Ireland Senior Championship

This weekend will see the Laois Ladies get their TG4 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship campaign underway with a home game against Cork in Laois Hire O'Moore Park.

The Laois Ladies have had a tough season to date with them having been relegated from Division 2 of the Lidl National League as well as failing to pick up a win across the league and championship.

Since joining the Laois Ladies football panel in 2021, St Joseph's Sinead Farrelly has quickly established herself as a key player, contributing to the team's Division 3 league title and Intermediate All-Ireland Championship victory. Farrelly discusses the commitment required at the inter-county level, the challenges faced by the team, and the bright future under new management ahead of the championship.

"It's huge commitment, like it's not easy when you step up to inter-county level but it's all about commitment and it's a huge step up but it's something that you have to enjoy and you have to be willing to be a part of it."

Reflecting on her journey and the team's dynamics, Farrelly acknowledges the demanding nature of the sport. "It's about setting standards for the younger girls to know when you commit to an inter-county team you have to give it 100%, you can't be just coming and going as you please kind of. It's everyone's dream to represent their county at inter-county level so the girls that have been given the opportunity have to take it and step up to it and give their all."

The past year has been particularly challenging for the team, but Farrelly remains optimistic. "It has been a very difficult year but there is a lot more in us and now that we're under the guidance of Stephen Duff, it is going well and morale is good within the group. We just have to focus on each game and trying to be the best we can be and everyone is going hard at training and giving it their all."

Under the leadership of Stephen Duff, the team has experienced a resurgence in both training intensity and overall morale. Farrelly praises Duff's impact, noting, "Sure I suppose his experience is second to none and his training sessions, the intensity has really picked up and that's something you need when you're playing inter-county football. It's great for younger players to have such a good manager over them and they then really push the group and for them it's this time of year that they've been waiting for and it's exciting for them to experience championship days like this."

With formidable opponents like Cork and Galway on the horizon, Farrelly and her teammates are gearing up for tough battles in the Senior Championship. "Cork and Galway it's not going to be easy and it's a huge task and a challenge that we as a group want to take. It's at this level you want to be competing at and Cork and Galway are two top teams. It's a great opportunity to be playing senior football but we're just looking forward to the challenge ahead in the next couple of weeks and see how it goes."

As Sinead Farrelly and the Laois Ladies football team prepare for the upcoming matches, their dedication, hard work, and the leadership of Stephen Duff provide a strong foundation for continued success. The commitment and passion of players like Farrelly ensure that the future of Laois Ladies football is bright.

Laois and Cork go to battle on Sunday, June 9 from 3pm in Laois Hire O'Moore Park and it'll serve as the second game of a double-header involving the Laois Senior footballers as they take on New York at 12.30pm. Tickets for the game can be bought here. Leinster Express/ Laois Live will be providing a free live blog from Laois Hire O'Moore Park on Sunday.