Big boost for Laois GAA as Leinster Senior Football semi-final returns to Portlaoise

Laois Hire O’Moore Park has once again been selected as a key venue for the Leinster Senior Football Championship, with confirmation that the Portlaoise ground will host one of this year’s semi-finals.

The decision follows the resounding success of last year’s historic tie at O'Moore Park in Portlaoise, when Meath stunned Dublin to end The Dubs' remarkable 13-year dominance of the province. That 2025 encounter was particularly significant as it marked the first time in three decades that Leinster semi-finals were not played at Croke Park.

Dublin had claimed every provincial crown from 2011 through 2024, but Meath’s victory in Portlaoise reshaped the championship narrative, even if they ultimately fell short against Louth in the final.

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Now, O’Moore Park is set to take centre stage once more, where you could potentially see a clash between the 2025 Leinster SFC champions Louth and Dublin, the side who have won 63 Leinster titles. The Laois venue will host a semi-final on Saturday, May 2, featuring the winners of Louth versus Wexford against the victors of Dublin and either Carlow or Wicklow. 

In addition, the ground could also be in line to host a quarter-final clash on Sunday, April 19, where Meath will face the winners of Westmeath and Longford. That game will be played in either Portlaoise or Tullamore.

Laois will get their Leinster Championship campaign underway this weekend when they travel to Tullamore to face Offaly in Round 1. The winners will then travel to Newbridge the following Sunday, April 19, to take on the 2025 Tailteann Cup winners Kildare.

Laois v Offaly throws-in at 6pm on Saturday, April 11.