Fixture details confirmed for Laois' O'Byrne Shield semi-final against Carlow

Laois will travel to Fr Ryan Park in Rathvilly on Saturday afternoon to face Carlow in the O’Byrne Shield semi-final, following confirmation of the fixtures by Leinster GAA.

Justin McNulty’s side got their 2026 season underway last weekend against Ger Brennan’s Dublin in Park-Ratheniska GAA. An experimental Dublin side came out on top, which saw Laois drop into the O’Byrne Shield semi-finals.

Laois only found out on Wednesday evening that they would be playing Carlow, who had defeated Wexford in the quarter-finals. Wexford had led by two points at half-time, 0-7 to 0-5, before Carlow scored 1-3 without reply within six minutes of the restart to go four points ahead.

Carlow kept Wexford at arm’s length for the remainder of the contest, though Wexford got back to within a single point with 58 minutes played. Carlow played keep ball in the final minutes and added two late points to secure a 1-13 to 0-13 win, with the decisive goal coming from Colm Hulton shortly after half-time.

The Laois-Carlow semi-final will throw in at 2pm on Saturday, January 10, at Fr Ryan Park. The other semi-final between Wicklow and Longford also takes place on Saturday afternoon. Laois last played in the O’Byrne Shield in 2024, when Wicklow beat them in the semi-final.

Should Laois reach the final, it will take place on Friday evening, January 16, eight days before their opening Allianz Football League Division 3 game against Limerick on Saturday, January 24.

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