Senior ‘B’ semi-finals offer second chance at glory
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THE race for the 2026 Laois Senior ‘B’ Football Championship title reaches the semi-final stage today with four clubs bidding to keep their seasons alive and secure a place in the county decider.
Having all endured difficult starts to their respective championship campaigns, Emo, Rosenallis, Arles Killeen and Crettyard have shown resilience and determination to reach this point.
Emo v Rosenallis Mountmellick, 3.30pm Emo and Rosenallis arrive in Mountmellick with renewed confidence after producing their best performances of the championship in the quarter-finals.
For Emo, the campaign looked in danger of drifting away after opening defeats to Graiguecullen and O’Dempsey’s. Those setbacks left them searching for momentum, but they found it in emphatic fashion when they comfortably accounted for Park/Ratheniska in the last eight.
The victory over Park/Ratheniska suggested a side beginning to find form at the right time and they will be determined to build on that performance.
Rosenallis have travelled a similar path. Consecutive defeats to Ballyroan Abbey and Killeshin left them under pressure before their quarter-final clash with The Heath. At one stage they trailed by eight points and appeared heading for elimination, but a remarkable turnaround demonstrated both character and belief as they fought back to secure a semi-final berth.
Their preparations have been complicated by commitments in the senior hurling championship, with a semi-final against Camross on the horizon. Several players are balancing dual responsibilities, making this a particularly demanding period for the club.
With both sides carrying momentum from impressive quarter-final victories, this contest has all the ingredients of a closely fought battle.
Arles-Killeen v Crettyard Ballylinan, 3.30pm The second semi-final sees Arles Killeen and Crettyard square off in Ballylinan, with both clubs eager to continue their championship revival.
Arles Killeen began their senior campaign on a positive note with victory over Park/Ratheniska but struggled to maintain that form, suffering defeats to Portlaoise and O’Dempsey’s. Dropping into the Senior ‘B’ competition provided an opportunity to regroup and they seized it by overcoming Clonaslee/St Manman’s in the quarter-final.
Crettyard's route to the last four has been even more challenging. Defeats against St Joseph’s and Park/Ratheniska left them facing an uncertain future, but they responded impressively when it mattered most, defeating Graiguecullen to extend their championship journey.
Both teams have shown tremendous resilience to recover from early disappointments and reach this stage. With a place in the final at stake, neither will need additional motivation.
