All eyes on Laois footballers as Tailteann Cup returns

Laois will begin their 2025 Tailteann Cup campaign with a home tie against Waterford, the same side they dismantled last year on their way to the Division 4 title.

That 2024 league meeting ended 5-19 to 0-9 in Laois’ favour, and Justin McNulty’s side will be eager to lay down another early marker as they chase Tailteann Cup glory. Last year saw Laois reach the final for the first time, falling just two points short against Down, a much tighter affair than their 2023 semi-final loss to the same opposition when they conceded eight goals in Croke Park under former manager Billy Sheehan.

This year, Laois are in Group 2 alongside Waterford, Wicklow, and Offaly, all familiar foes. After Saturday’s clash with Waterford, they travel to Aughrim in Round 2 to face Wicklow, where they ground out a narrow 0-11 to 0-10 win in last year’s Tailteann Cup.

A week’s break will follow before a final group game against Offaly at a neutral venue still to be confirmed. Offaly have had the upper hand in recent meetings, with wins over Laois in this year’s Division 3 and last year’s Leinster quarter-final. Laois also played their neighbours in the 2023 Tailteann Cup under Billy Sheehan. That game ended level, 1-11 apiece.

This year's Tailteann Cup features several strong contenders, including two sides that got the better of Laois in the league, Kildare and Fermanagh, as well as former winners Westmeath, making the path to Croke Park as competitive as ever.

With steady progress in each edition of the Tailteann Cup, a first-round exit in 2022, a semi-final in 2023, and a final in 2024, Laois will be hoping that 2025 is the year they finally get over the line.

Laois v Waterford will throw-in at 3pm in Laois Hire O'Moore Park, Portlaoise on Saturday, May 10. The Leinster Express/ Laois Live will be providing a live blog from the game.