Laois hurlers hoping to up performaces levels against The Cats

The Laois Senior hurling team will face neighbours Kilkenny in Round 3 of this year's Allianz Hurling League. Both sides come into the game with mixed fortunes in their campaigns to date.

Laois began their season with a 20-point defeat to the hands of Liam Cahill's Tipperary team in Semple Stadium while two weeks ago, Davy Fitzgerald brought his Waterford side to Portlaoise. The Déise were made to work hard for their 12-point victory as an early red card for Michael Kiely, gave Laois an invitation to make the most of the extra man.

The home side only trailed by a single-point at the break as it looked like Laois might register their first points on the Division 1 table. Aidan Corby would see the line for Laois and it proved to be their own downfall as Waterford began to up the gears and rack up points on the scoreboard. Davy Fitz's side winning by 12 points in the end against a stubborn Laois team.

Laois will have taken many positives from the game, especially the scoring exploits of Castletown's Ryan Mullaney. The half-back was given the licence to roam as Laois' spare man and he duly obliged as he rattled two goals into the Waterford net. Laois also found a lot of joy through the stick of Enda Rowland as the Laois shot-stopper was accurate with his puck-outs throughout the game.

As for Kilkenny, they come into the game having also been beaten by Tipperary with Cahill's side leaving Nowlan Park with a six-point victory. Kilkenny's scoring difference stands at zero after defeating Antrim in Corrigan Park by the same margin.

Both sides have faced one another previously in this year's Walsh Cup with Derek Lyng's Cats leaving Rathdowney with a victory 3-31 to Laois' 2-21.

Willie Maher and his Laois side will be hoping for another good performance against Lyng's Kilkenny side as they look towards the Joe McDonagh Cup with Laois being one of the favourites to lift the cup having previously won it back in 2019. The competitive nature of Division 1 gives Laois a good base for performance levels as we approach the summer.

The game throws in at 2pm and takes place in Laois Hire O'Moore Park. Tickets can be bought at participating Supervalu/Centra stores as well as through this LINK.