Laois going all out to be crowned TG4 Leinster Intermediate champions

A MIDLANDS derby awaits in the TG4 Leinster Intermediate final when Laois travel to TEG Cusack Park in Mullingar to take on Westmeath tomorrow (Sunday) afternoon (4pm).

Laois advanced to the final with a comfortable semi-final victory over Wicklow, as Westmeath got the better of Wexford in the last four. That was a sweet one for Westmeath, who lost out to Wexford in last year’s provincial decider.

Westmeath finished just a point behind Wexford in the 2024 final but now have the chance to erase those painful memories.

But they’ll get nothing easy from an improving Laois side, who won this title last in 2018.

Following on from being relegated from Division 2 of the National League last year, Laois had a very mixed league season this year.

However, Stephen Duff’s charges have looked much improved side in the championship.

Laois sealed their spot in the TG4 Leinster Intermediate final with an emphatic win over Wicklow at Echelon Park, Aughrim. In a contest where clinical finishing and defensive solidity made the difference, Stephen Duff’s side laid down a serious marker with a commanding victory.

Laois delivered a performance full of control, sharp execution, and unrelenting work-rate. From the first whistle, it was clear that they had come into this game with serious intent, combining attacking efficiency with a disciplined and intelligent defensive structure and they will need to be equally efficient against Westmeath.

Westmeath are chasing a first TG4 Leinster Intermediate crown since 2011 and they’ll also look to launch a strong push for the All-Ireland title and promotion to the senior grade.

Before all of that, there’s a provincial title on offer and the result will also impact on the make-up of the TG4 All-Ireland Championship groups.

The winners will join the Ulster runners-up and Tyrone in Group 2 of the All-Ireland series, with the losers to face Roscommon and Fermanagh in Group 1.

LAOIS: Eimear Barry (Shanahoe); Sinead Farrelly (St Joseph’s), Faye McEvoy (Ballyroan), Grainne Lalor (Sarsfields); Aoife Gorman (Timahoe), Anna Moore (St Joseph’s), Andrea Moran (Ballyroan, Captain); Fiona Dooley (Portlaoise), Jane Moore (St Joseph’s); Shifra Havill (St Conleth’s), Lauren Walsh (Graiguecullen), Ciara Crowley (Portlaoise); Eva Galvin (St Conleth’s), Ciara Burke (Sarsfields), Mo Nerney (Timahoe).

WESTMEATH: A Temple; L McCartan, S Murphy, F Coyle (capt); C Gonoud, L Power, S Buckley; V Carr, A Roche; L McCartan, S Dillon, T Dillon; G Byrne, A Jones, C Kilmurray.

The final is being streamed live at https://bit.ly/3S42EW5