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01 Jan 2026
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01 Jan 2026
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Dubin set for Laois tussle in ploughing championship territory.
Dublin vegetable growers might be getting calls for directions to the county's first game of 2026 in Laois while Dublin star Ciarán Kilkenny might also have to sit in the front seat of the Dublin bus to ensure the team arrives on time in Ratheniska.
Fingal farmers will likely know how to get to the Park Ratheniska GAA Club pitch, as Ratheniska has hosted several editions of the National Ploughing Championships.
Meanwhile, Ciarán Kilkenny will also likely have an idea how to get there as his mother hails from Portlaoise, where his grandmother still lives.
For Dublin fans thinking of travelling to the game on January 3, and don't know any Fingal farmers or have Ciarán's number, the pitch is about an hour's car journey from the Red Cow Inn. For those using Google Maps, the Eircode is R32 WR94
Anyone coming from the capital on the train will be able to get to the pitch in around 15 minutes by car from Portlaoise Train Station.
Ratheniska hosted a Dublin-based team in an O'Byrne Cup game in 2016 when Laois defeated UCD on a scoreline of 1-10 1-9. An injury-time point from sub Ruairí O’Connor got Mick Lillis’s tenure as Laois manager off to a winning start.
The 2026 game between Laois and Dublin marks the start of a new era for Dublin as it will see Ger Brennan take the helm as manager for his first competitive game. He was heavily linked to the Laois job before taking over with Louth and leading them to the Leinster Senior Football Championship title in 2025.
READ ALSO: From Kildare GAA star takes the reins of Laois GAA club football champs
Justin McNulty is leading Laois for a third year in his second spell with the O'Moore County.
Match details:
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