LISTEN: Laois GAA senior football captain Brian Byrne speaking ahead of Division 3 opener in Portlaoise

Laois senior football captain Brian Byrne and his teammates are set to get their Division 3 Allianz League campaign underway on Saturday evening as they welcome Limerick to O’Moore Park.

With two months of winter conditioning now complete, Byrne says the squad is relishing the opportunity to shift from training-ground work to competitive football, noting that league action brings a different edge after a lengthy pre-season.

“It's a long enough time, it feels like a long time since we went back in November. A lot of work, the fitness work and the football side of it. It gets you through the winter, I guess, but it's a long enough stint as well. You'd be looking forward to playing some of the O'Byrne Cup games. I know it was the first year back after last year, but I think we definitely found it beneficial with new lads coming in to get a chance, and then lads coming back from injuries and that getting to play as well. So overall, it's been a good pre-season, and you'd be looking forward to the league starting and the season getting going after all the work,” Byrne said.

The reinstatement of the O’Byrne Cup this season was a positive development in Byrne’s view, as he believes structured, competitive fixtures provide invaluable preparation for the challenges players face once the league and championship begin.

“When it wasn't there last year, to be honest, we played challenge games anyway. I know it probably wasn't there because of player welfare and that element, and lads playing Sigerson Cup in college. I think maybe the more structured competitive fixtures can work out in a good way as well for the lads. With the crowd, I know there were a lot of Dubs, and the result didn't go our way, but that definitely added an element to it. I think it's a good replica for lads who are new to playing that level, that’s what the bigger games in the league and in the summer are like when there's a bit of a crowd there. So overall, I'm definitely in favour of them anyway, and I think the majority of lads would probably be in favour of playing the competitive games too,” he said.

Laois enter Division 3 for a second successive season, having finished sixth last year. Despite that placing, they stayed in contention for promotion until the closing round, and Byrne says climbing the table remains a clear target for the campaign ahead.

“I think a lot of it depends on the first few games, but to be honest, it's our second year in Division 3, and it's the third year with the management, so we'd be optimistic that we can look up the table and try and push on to get promoted. The two teams coming down from Division 2, Westmeath and Down, are two really good teams, and they're established teams. The two teams coming up, Wexford and Limerick, we've had really good games with them the last few years. Definitely, every game is a 50-50 game, that's the way we're looking at it, and I'm sure that's the way the other teams are.

“I would be optimistic. We've had a good pre-season, we have new lads developing, and lads coming back from injuries and travels. We really felt last year we probably weren't a million miles away from it. The table doesn't lie at the same time, but especially some of the games like Clare and Fermanagh come to mind. It was probably an element of us losing the games rather than the other team really pushing on and beating us. We kind of had a lot of regrets over that. Those games and the learning points are still at the forefront of our minds,” the Laois captain said.

Saturday’s visitors, Limerick, return to Division 3 after a successful 2025 campaign that saw them claim the Division 4 title and reach the Tailteann Cup final, a trajectory Laois themselves experienced under Justin McNulty in his first season at the helm in 2024. Byrne expects a stern challenge under the lights in Portlaoise.

“They did have an identical year to what we had the first year with the management. We got a lot of confidence from that, and we were very optimistic last year; it kind of brought on a lot of lads. I remember a couple of years ago, we played them in Division 3. I think they got promoted that year. We’ve played a couple of challenge games as well; they're a very physical side. Big ball winners around the middle, and the new rules with the kick-outs can only benefit them. They’ve got a couple of forwards; James Naughton is a serious player. He was shooting the lights out last year in the Tailteann Cup. Believe me, it's a 50-50 game, and they're definitely going to be confident, the same as we are. It bodes well for a good game for both sides, I think,” the Graiguecullen clubman said.

As for Byrne’s own positioning, his role remains flexible following a 2025 season that saw him deployed in the forwards due to injuries elsewhere. While adaptable, the Laois skipper admits he feels most at home in defence under the new football rules.

“I'm not sure, to be honest with you, you know as much as I do. I know that with a few injuries last year and lads away, I probably would have played a bit in the forwards with my club, Graiguecullen, so I'm somewhat familiar with it. I've played a bit more up the field; equally, I've played a bit in the backs. Honestly, once I'm out on the field, I'm happy enough, but I probably would prefer the backs. It's a bit more natural to me, and the new rules allow for more one-on-one defending. There are a lot of turnovers around the middle eight, and it’s a bit more chaotic, so there are chances there to get a few scores as well. To be honest, I’ll take it once I can try and get out there and do something,” he concluded.

FIXTURE LIST

Saturday January 24

Laois v Limerick in Laois Hire O'Moore Park at 6pm

Saturday January 31

Wexford v Laois in Wexford Park at 6pm

Saturday February 14

Laois v Sligo in Laois Hire O'Moore Park at 6pm

Sunday February 22

Clare v Laois in Cusack Park, Ennis at 2pm

Saturday February 28

Laois v Westmeath in Laois Hire O'Moore Park at 6pm

Saturday March 14

Fermanagh v Laois in Brewster Park, Enniskillen at 6pm

Sunday March 22

Down v Laois in Páirc Esler, Newry at 2pm