Slevin hails team effort as Laois claim back-to-back Leinster titles

LAOIS minor ladies manager Adrian Slevin was full of pride and satisfaction after his side secured back-to-back Leinster titles, praising his players’ relentless work ethic and the wider impact of their success on football in the county.

The achievement marks another significant step forward for a squad that has steadily developed over the past year. Slevin highlighted the blend of youth and experience within the panel, noting how emerging talent has elevated the group.

He said: “Winning the Leinster title again is absolutely huge for the players, and everyone involved in the set up.

“Not only for the team, it is absolutely huge for the whole ladies football setup in Laois, with the U/16s also in the Leinster final next weekend and hopefully they can get over the line too.

The achievement marks another significant step forward for a squad that has steadily developed over the past year. Slevin highlighted the blend of youth and experience within the panel, noting how emerging talent has elevated the group.

“These players have worked and worked so hard since the start of the year, and they have been rewarded for their commitment and effort today. They are definitely a great group.

“A lot of them were underage from last year and the crop that came up from U/16s have brought the panel and team up to another level this year.” Slevin was emphatic in his praise for the character of his players, underlining their dedication both on and off the pitch.

“There is football in every one of them. They have worked super hard. I couldn’t fault any of them for anything over the past year.

“We want to make future footballers here in Laois for Laois and push them up to Intermediate and further into senior ranks in the future, and I think the structures are now there to make this possible. But we are delighted.” Despite their dominance, the final presented its challenges, particularly when Laois were reduced to 14 players in the second half. However, Slevin never doubted his team’s resolve.

“When we went down to 14 players, our work rate, determination and grit was outstanding. In fairness to those girls, they have it in buckets and I was never really worried that they would see it through” Looking ahead, Slevin outlined a measured approach as Laois prepare for their next challenge on the national stage.

While the Leinster success is a major milestone, Slevin made it clear that there is still unfinished business after last year’s disappointment.

“Firstly, we will enjoy the victory for a few days and then we will have a break for a few weeks.

“There is a big gap between the Leinster final and the All-Ireland semi-final. We play the winners of Munster, so we are going to take a break, let the players go back to their clubs, and then bring them back four or five weeks out and push it hard from there.

“We spoke at the very start of the year; we were very disappointed with how last year ended against Sligo in the All-Ireland semi-final. We will take it one game at a time, but we know there is a big prize at the end, and we are going to give it a go.”