Laois GAA clubs confirm new senior hurling managers for 2026

Portlaoise, Borris-in-Ossory Kilcotton and St Lazarian’s Abbeyleix have all confirmed new senior hurling management appointments for the 2026 season.

Portlaoise have once again turned to one of their own, appointing former player Pat Critchley as senior hurling manager for 2026, replacing Cyril Duggan. Critchley was part of the Portlaoise backroom team during the 2025 campaign, but now steps into the lead role as The Town look to build on lessons learned last season.

Critchley remains a hugely significant figure in Laois hurling history, still standing as the county’s only All-Star and notably Laois’ first-ever recipient of the award. A decorated dual player with Portlaoise, he was part of four county championship-winning teams in both hurling and football, underlining his deep ties to the club and his experience of success at the highest local level.

Portlaoise endured a challenging 2025 campaign, only securing their senior status with a crucial Relegation Final victory over Castletown in Colt. They had made a promising start to the championship, picking up a point against Camross in Round One before defeating The Harps in Round Two to leave them with three points from their opening four. However, defeats to Borris-Kilcotton, Castletown and Rathdowney-Errill saw them drop into the SHC ‘B’ competition, where they were beaten by Abbeyleix in the semi-finals. That set up the decisive relegation clash with Castletown, which Portlaoise won to preserve their senior status.

Borris-in-Ossory Kilcotton have also confirmed a new-look management team for 2026, appointing Brendan Cahill of Tullaroan, Kilkenny, as their senior hurling coach. Cahill brings significant inter-county and club experience to the role and will be assisted by former Laois and Limerick strength and conditioning coach Dave Moriarty, along with club men Owen Drennan and Seamus Kelly.

Cahill has previously worked with Kilkenny camogie teams under Brian Dowling and has spent the past three seasons as manager of Mooncoin hurlers. Moriarty, meanwhile, is well known in Laois hurling circles, having been part of the Laois senior management team during their Joe McDonagh Cup triumph in 2019. His coaching CV also includes spells with Limerick, Adare, Glen Rovers and UL Fitzgibbon Cup teams.

St Lazarian’s Abbeyleix have completed the trio of appointments by naming PJ Peacock as their senior hurling manager for 2026, with Peacock replacing Seamus Gleeson, who was in charge for the 2025 season.

It proved to be a difficult year for Abbeyleix, who finished fourth in their five-team group in the Laois SHC, which saw them drop into the SHC ‘B’ competition. They produced a strong performance to defeat Portlaoise in the semi-final but were denied silverware when neighbours The Harps struck late to claim the SHC ‘B’ final. That competition has since been discontinued, having only been played during the 2025 season.

Peacock is no stranger to Abbeyleix hurling supporters, having famously guided the club to their first Laois SHC final in 74 years in 2023, their first appearance at that stage since 1949. On that occasion, Abbeyleix’s hopes were ended early by a Mossy Keyes hat-trick inside the opening 15 minutes as Camross ran out 4-18 to 0-14 winners.

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