Returning players set to bolster Laois Ladies panel ahead of 2025 league opener against Carlow

Stephen Duff’s Laois Ladies squad has received a significant boost with the return of key players Fiona Dooley, Eva Galvin, and Emma Lawlor, along with new additions.

The team is looking to bounce back after a challenging 2024 season which saw them relegated from both the league and the All-Ireland Championship.

"We have Fiona Dooley back, who is one of the best players in Laois. I'm lucky enough now to be going into my fifth year managing Fiona through Portlaoise and Laois. We've brought Deirdre Phelan in from Portlaoise, who I've worked with as well. It’s her first time with the group," he said.

Other returning players include Ciara Burke from Sarsfields, back in Laois colours for the first time in several years, and Shifra Havill, whose energy Duff praised. However, the team will be without Alanna Havill due to a season-ending knee injury.

"Shifra Havill is back in and her energy is massive around the group. Unfortunately, her sister, Alanna, suffered a knee injury in week two, so we’ll be without her for the season. That’s a disappointment, but the energy and talent we’ve brought in are massive positives.

"Ciara Burke from Sarsfields is returning to Laois for the first time in seven or eight years, I think she said, so that's a real positive. She was away in Australia for a number of years. Ciara Crowley from Portlaoise is involved now as well and her energy is kind of reminding me of what Lauren Nerney used to bring to Laois. Kind of a chaotic half-back that comes to life in broken play. She's exciting and I’m looking forward to seeing her in a Laois jersey and seeing what she can bring to the team,” Duff added.

Laois will get their Division 3 campaign underway against neighbours Carlow on Sunday, January 26 from 2pm in the LOETB Centre of Excellence.

“Carlow will be tough. It'll be a derby and we're looking forward to it. We're blessed in a way to have two home games first before we go to Down, that’ll be a tough game up there. I think they got to an Intermediate Ulster final last year so they'll be there or thereabouts in Division 3. That block of three games is important for us. I'd be hoping to come out, like in the best-case scenario, get three wins from three but if we can get two wins from three in that regard, I'd be very happy going into the remaining four games,” he concluded.