PREVIEW: Big Saturday for Laois as hurlers host Kerry and Camogie side welcome Derry to Abbeyleix

It promises to be a busy and potentially defining Saturday for Laois GAA, with both the senior hurlers and camogie side in crucial league action in Portlaoise and Abbeyleix.

Tommy Fitzgerald’s Laois hurlers return to action after a three-week break, looking to build on an impressive start to their Division 2 campaign.

Their last outing came on February 1 in O’Moore Park, when they defeated Derry 0-25 to 0-15. That victory followed an emphatic 6-23 to 0-12 dismantling of Mayo in Tooreen. Two games, two convincing wins, and momentum firmly established.

Saturday’s visitors, however, represent a significant challenge. Kerry currently sit top of the Division 2 table, albeit having played one game more than Laois. They have five points from a possible six after wins over London and Derry and a draw with Westmeath. Notably, they have already struck 12 goals in three games underlining their attacking threat.

With promotion and a potential league final spot in sight ahead of the March 28/29 decider, this clash could have a major bearing on who finishes top of the table.

For Laois, the next fortnight will likely define their campaign. After Kerry, they travel to Mullingar next Sunday, March 1, to face Westmeath. Two wins from those fixtures would leave Laois in pole position heading into their final two games, at home to Meath and away to London, and firmly in contention for promotion.

Recent history will give the hosts confidence. The sides last met in the 2025 Joe McDonagh Cup, where Laois ran out emphatic 5-28 to 1-21 winners in Portlaoise en route to the final (where they later lost to Kildare). In 2024’s competition, Laois also prevailed, winning 1-25 to 0-18.

But league form suggests this will be a much tighter affair. Kerry’s scoring power and early-season sharpness mean Fitzgerald’s men will need to match their intensity from the opening whistle.

Laois Camogie

In Abbeyleix, the Laois camogie team play their first home match since being crowned All-Ireland Premier Junior champions last August.

They opened their Division 2A campaign with a battling 0-11 to 0-11 draw away to Kerry in Killarney, last year’s All-Ireland Intermediate finalists. Newly appointed 2026 Laois captain Aimee Collier was in sensational form, scoring all 11 of Laois’ points, while Patrice Diggin contributed nine of Kerry’s total.

Laois arguably received the toughest possible start to their campaign, facing Kerry first and now Derry, who were relegated from the Senior Camogie Championship in 2025 following defeat to Wexford. Saturday will provide a clear indicator of where Laois stand at this level.

A win, or even another point, would significantly strengthen their promotion hopes ahead of upcoming clashes with Meath, Carlow and Westmeath, the latter relegated from Division 1B in 2025. Those fixtures could shape a serious push for advancement if Laois can lay a strong foundation this weekend.

Both games throw-in at 2pm on Saturday, February 21.