Unchanged team named for stern test as Down return to Portlaoise for Tailteann Cup 

JUSTIN McNulty has made no changes to the team that saw off the London challenge for their Tailteann Cup quarter-final against Down. Laois will be attempting to gain a measure of revenge for their 2024 Tailteann Cup final defeat in Laois Hire O’Moore Park on Saturday (4pm).

The meeting pits two of the competition’s stronger sides against one another, with Down widely regarded as among the favourites for outright honours, while Laois will look to make home advantage count.

This fixture carries added intrigue as a repeat of the 2024 decider at Croke Park, where Down emerged victorious. There is also familiarity off the field, with Laois manager Justin McNulty coming up against members of Down’s backroom team with whom he shared All-Ireland success at Armagh.

Laois are in a confident place following assured victories in the earlier rounds, opening their campaign with a convincing win over Wicklow before producing a dominant display away to London.

Saturday’s contest is likely to hinge on whether Laois can impose their structure and slow the tempo, or whether Down can inject the pace and attacking rhythm that has served them so well.

The bookmakers have installed Down as clear favourites, reflecting their scoring record and experience at this stage of the competition, while Laois are viewed as underdogs despite their home advantage.

While Laois have shown encouraging signs of progress and possess the organisation to make life difficult for their opponents, Down’s attacking depth and proven ability in knockout football would appear to give them the edge, though Laois should ensure the margin is far narrower than the sides’ previous championship meeting.

LAOIS: Killian Roche (Killeshin); Alex Mohan (Portarlington), Trevor Collins (Graiguecullen), Jack Lacey (St Joseph’s); Paddy O’Sullivan (Portarlington), Simon Fingleton (Park/Ratheniska), Pa Kirwan (Emo); Conor Heffernan (Killeshin), Rob Tyrrell (Courtwood); Mikie Dempsey (St Joseph’s), Ronan Coffey (Portarlington), Kevin Swayne (Portlaoise); Brian Byrne (Graiguecullen), Daragh Galvin (Portarlington), Evan O’Carroll (Crettyard).

SUBS: Matthew Byron (Courtwood), Darren Brennan (Portlaoise), Ciaran Burke (Crettyard), Killian Byrne (Ballyroan Abbey), Niall Corbet (Clonaslee/St Manman’s), Ben Dempsey (Portlaoise), Josh Hogan (Portlaoise), Paul Kingston (Arles Killeen), Rioghan Murphy (Portarlington), Cian Nolan (Park/Ratheniska), Cian Ryle (Kilcavan).