‘They’re after taking myself and Pat on a serious journey’ Rob Jones
Jessica Kelly was the Cup Bearer for the Intermediate final on Sunday Photo: Paul Dargan
FOR Laois, reaching another All-Ireland final represented a remarkable achievement given where the county's camogie team had been just a few years earlier.
They entered the 2026 campaign as reigning Premier Junior All-Ireland champions after their success in 2025, but their ambitions this year included finally getting over the line in the Leinster Championship after suffering defeat in the provincial decider in each of the previous two seasons, and that objective was achieved.
Joint manager Rob Jones felt there were plenty of positives for Laois to take away from their final performance, particularly given the manner in which the team continued to battle despite Antrim eventually pulling clear.
“We’re leaving here happy enough. Winning the Leinster was one of our main goals this year after losing two in a row and they've done that, to be fair to them.
“On today's performance, we were beaten by a better team and the Division 1 status showed with Antrim. They're a very impressive team, very pacey, their use of the ball was excellent. We just couldn't stick with that pace.
“But look, I have to give huge credit to our girls, the work rate, they never gave in. They worked till the very end, and we're very proud of them,” Jones said.
The defeat brought the curtain down on a three-year period in which Jones and Pat Collier have helped transform Laois into one of the most consistent teams in the country. Sunday's final was their third consecutive All-Ireland decider, while they also reached three Leinster finals and two league finals during their time in charge.
They won the league in 2024, followed that up with the Premier Junior All-Ireland title in 2025 and then secured the Leinster Championship in 2026.
Jones admitted he was proud of what the players had achieved and believes the current generation has helped demonstrate the depth of talent available within Laois camogie.
“I was just going to say, they’re after taking myself and Pat on a serious journey, three years now since we took over, and Laois probably wasn't in the best place. Bringing us to three All-Ireland finals in a row, it's something a county might never do, it’s unreal. Camross winning last year as well. It just proves that they are good enough. There is more talent in Laois that can come in next year. I just urge all the girls that are on that panel today, and girls that are sitting at home, that there's definitely a possibility to push on from this,” Jones added.
