Laois will need to be up to pace from the opening whistle

ROBERT Jones also expects Antrim to start as heavy favourites and believes Laois must be ready from the opening whistle.

“We know what Antrim are like now after seeing them a couple of times. As Pat (Collier) said, a very pacey team, a young team. We're just going to have to start from the first minute this time. Take our opportunities as well when the chances come,” Jones remarked.

Having competed in Division 1 this year after being relegated from the senior championship in 2025, Antrim arrive with an impressive pedigree.

“They had a good campaign in Division 1. They beat Cork by a point, I think, that's no mean feat. We know we're in for a huge battle against Antrim. All we can do is prepare as best we can. The girls are in good form, plenty of excitement, enjoying the build-up, but come next Sunday, it'll be all guns blazing,” he continued.

Jones also praised the dedication shown by the Laois squad throughout the campaign.

“Huge commitment. They love playing for Laois, to be fair. There's a huge bond between them. Huge sacrifices, girls in college, work, school even. It's a huge commitment, but they enjoy it. When you're winning games, it's easy to come to the training ground looking for more. So hopefully, come Sunday, we'll get one more,” he commented.

Camross’s success in Croke Park in last December's All-Ireland Intermediate final has also helped strengthen belief within the county setup, according to Jones.

“Aimee is a huge leader in this team. She had a great year last year, especially with Laois and then again with Camross, two games in Croke Park in one year; not too many people can say that. That's after driving Laois on too, no doubt, winning a Club Intermediate title. It brings the belief into our girls that we're good enough to compete at that level too,” Jones stated.

Jones knows exactly what it is like to play in Croke Park, having lined out for the Laois minor footballers in the 1998 All-Ireland final, but says this journey with the camogie squad surpasses that experience.

“I think it tops it, to be honest. That's a long time ago now, 1998 I think it was. We were going for three All-Irelands in a row, and I managed to get on the team for the third year. It was a huge experience being in Croke Park. I think I played in Croke Park four times in the space of two months: Leinster semi-final, final, All-Ireland semi-final, and final. We were unlucky not to win the final. “Compared to now, there are huge highs in this. It's great excitement. The girls, especially in tight games this year, the way they battled through and won the All-Ireland semi-final was huge, especially after coming up intermediate. To see the girls, the effort they put in, it's unbelievable. That gives me and Pat huge pleasure,” he reflected.