Relief and joy for Ferns as Shanahoe return to senior ranks

SHANAHOE’S Marian Ferns admitted there was a huge sense of relief after her side secured an immediate return to the Laois LGFA Senior Championship with victory over Killeshin in Saturday evening’s Intermediate Championship final.

Ferns produced a player-of-the-match performance as Shanahoe overcame Killeshin to claim the LOETB Intermediate Championship title and ensure their stay in the second tier lasted just one season.

The Shanahoe veteran said the feeling of getting over the line was particularly special given the work that had gone into rebuilding following their relegation in 2025.

“It feels amazing. We're delighted just to get over the line today; we're absolutely delighted. It's a super club and a super team. We worked so hard and to get over the line today and get back up senior.” 

Shanahoe’s relegation last year brought a difficult period for the club, but Ferns believes the experience ultimately helped the team become more competitive and develop as a group.

“Last year was a tough year. Obviously, you want to be at the top, you want to compete with the best teams. Maybe last year was right. It didn't feel it at the time, being relegated, but then coming in this year and being competitive. I'm not saying we won games handy; we definitely did not. We struggled at parts of the year, but to be competitive and to work on that and to build a team and then to work and get a win like today, we're absolutely delighted.” 

Ferns’ own contribution was significant on Saturday as she was named player of the match, although she admitted there were times when she considered stepping away from the game.

“I think I retired a few times. I told my husband I was going to retire plenty of times, but I stuck with it. But listen, when there are girls around you. You can work with them. If you’ve Isabel Finlay, Hannah Bailey, girls like that beside you. It's easy to play. It is tough sometimes, but we’ve got so much support and I’m absolutely delighted to be here and to be part of the team as well.” 

Shanahoe will now turn their attention towards the Leinster Intermediate Club Championship, with Ferns recalling the last time the club reached the provincial stage at this grade.

“The last time we won the Intermediate, we went up to Dublin for the club championship. I can't remember the team we went up against and listen, we thought we'd get hockeyed. Honestly, we thought we'd get beat off the field. Then at half-time, it actually came into our heads that it was a game that we could have won if we'd come up with the right attitude.

“It's a super team and we’ve so many subs and so many players. Maybe this year if we go in with the right attitude, anything is possible. We weren't looking further than today. Delighted to go over the line. It is positive and we have another day out.” 

For now, though, the focus is on celebrating a memorable championship triumph and Shanahoe’s return to the senior ranks for 2027.