PREVIEW: Laois teams head North as senior footballers meet Down and Ladies take on Antrim

It’s a crucial Sunday afternoon for both the Laois senior footballers and the Laois Ladies, with both sides making the trip north in their respective Division 3 league campaigns.

Justin McNulty’s Laois senior footballers have had little time to regroup following last weekend’s defeat away to Fermanagh in Enniskillen. That result marked their third loss from six outings in Division 3, leaving them with a mixed record of two wins, one draw and three defeats so far.

Laois have recorded victories over Sligo and Westmeath, along with a draw against Limerick, but losses to Clare, Wexford and Fermanagh mean they head into their final league game still looking over their shoulder.

Sunday’s clash presents arguably their toughest challenge yet. A flawless Down side, who have won all six of their matches, await in Pairc Esler in Newry. Promotion to Division 2 for 2027 is already secured for the Ulster men, but they will be eager to maintain their perfect record ahead of playing either Westmeath or Wexford in the Division 3 final.

While Laois are not yet mathematically safe from relegation, the permutations required for them to drop are unlikely. With a points difference of -3, compared to Limerick’s -28, Laois would need to suffer a heavy defeat, combined with a big Limerick win over Fermanagh and a Sligo victory against Clare, for the worst-case scenario to unfold. It’s a slim possibility, but one that ensures there can be no complacency.

READ NEXT: Laois minors hurlers cruise past Kerry in Leinster Championship Opener

There is just one change to the Laois side from the team that lost to Fermanagh. Midfielder Rob Tyrrell misses out following his red card against Fermanagh, with captain Brian Byrne taking his place. Byrne slots into the half-forward line, and Kevin Swayne will partner Conor Heffernan in midfield.

LAOIS: Killian Roche (Killeshin); Jake Darcy (Annanough), Trevor Collins (Graiguecullen), Jack Lacey (St Joseph's); Paddy O'Sullivan (Portarlington), Aaron McEvoy (Ballyroan-Abbey), Simon Fingleton (Park-Ratheniska); Kevin Swayne (Portlaoise), Conor Heffernan (Killeshin); Brian Byrne (Graiguecullen), Ronan Coffey (Portarlington), Darren Brennan (Portlaoise); Rioghan Murphy (Portarlington), Daragh Galvin (Portarlington), Evan O'Carroll (Crettyard)

A strong performance, even in defeat, would offer encouragement ahead of a three-week break before their Leinster Championship opener against neighbours Offaly, provided they remain a Division 3 side for 2027. Unlikely, but not impossible.

Laois v Down throws-in at 2pm in Pairc Esler, Newry on Sunday, March 22. You can follow all the action from Newry on our live blog from 1.50pm.

At the same time, the Laois Ladies are also in action in the north, taking on Antrim in Round 6 of their Division 3 campaign at the Antrim GAA Centre of Excellence in Dunsilly.

READ NEXT: Late Meath point denies Laois Camogie Division 2 final place despite narrow win over Westmeath

Their situation is more precarious. Sitting second from bottom with four points from five games, Laois are firmly in relegation trouble and know that at least one win from their final two fixtures is essential to avoid the drop to Division 4.

Their most recent outing, a home defeat to Roscommon, exposed defensive vulnerabilities, conceding 4-4 while managing 12 points at the other end. It was a setback that leaves little margin for error heading into games against promotion-chasing Antrim and league leaders Louth.

Given their recent pedigree, the current predicament is somewhat surprising. Just last August, Laois were competing in the All-Ireland Intermediate final at Croke Park, and they also reached the Leinster Intermediate final in 2025. However, league form has not matched those highs.

There is, however, a timely boost in team news. Captain Andrea Moran returns to the starting line-up after missing the Roscommon defeat, as does Anna Healy, who was forced out late due to a warm-up injury. Kelly O’Neill also comes into the side, while Aoife Gorman is also named to start.

READ NEXT: SETU research shines light on volunteer pressures felt across Laois Gaelic Games clubs

LAOIS: Eimear Barry (Shanahoe); Sinead Farrelly (St Joseph’s), Faye McEvoy (Ballyroan), Mary Cotter (St Conleth's); Aoife Gorman (Timahoe), Aishling Saunders (Portlaoise), Andrea Moran (Ballyroan); Fiona Dooley (Portlaoise), Anna Healy (Park-Ratheniska); Shifra Havill (St Conleth's), Eva Galvin (St Conleth's), Ciara Crowley (Portlaoise); Emily Lacey (St Joseph’s), Katie Donoghue (Timahoe), Kelly O'Neill (Graiguecullen).

Laois v Antrim throws-in at 2pm on Sunday, March 22, in the Antrim GAA Centre of Excellence in Dunsilly.