In Pictures: Laois Ladies receive highest honour from Laois County Council

Laois Ladies were the very deserving recipients of a civic reception last week at Aras an Chontae, Portlaoise. The reception took place on the back of a fantastic year for the O’Moore ladies having won the All Ireland Intermediate championship at the end of July. 

The reception was chaired by an Cathaoirleach of Comhairle Chontae Laoise Thomasina Connell. An Cathaoirleach had great praise for the All-Ireland champions and was honoured to host the ladies on this special occasion. TAP next or arrow to see more pictures taken by Michael Scully or read below for more about the event.

“It gives me great pleasure, as Cathaoirleach of Comhairle Chontae Laoise to welcome you to this Reception tonight in honour of the Laois Ladies Football Team.  It is a great honour for me to accord you this Civic Reception in recognition of your achievements and in particular your deserving win in the All Ireland Intermediate Championship 2022,” stated Cathaoirleach 

“Laois supporters flocked to Croke Park for the final on the 31st July 2022.  Laois monopolized possession in the first half. A goal at the 19th minute was the crucial score as you bravely battled to make your superiority count before getting five points in a row.  You finished strong in the first half with a nine point advantage and looked comfortable and on your way to claiming the Mary Quinn Memorial Cup when the second half commenced.  You were soon ten points in the clear.  Wexford fought back and tried to narrow the lead but as the game entered the final ten minutes, you were leading by seven points.  Wexford threw everything forward in the dying stages but heroic defending by yourselves kept them at bay.  The last kick out was by yourselves and as you held onto possession, the final whistle was a glorious sound as it confirmed you were the deserving Laois Ladies 2022 All Ireland Champions after 21 years.  

“This team has displayed resilience, passion and determination in their strive for success. Each and every one of you, from team players to management have put in the hours, and the hard graft, in both good and bad weather but always in the belief that you could win this All Ireland Intermediate Championship.   The Manager, Selectors and Trainers can look back with justifiable pride on a job well done and equally so can each member of the team.   The success that you have achieved can only encourage and bring on other young talent and serve as an example to them of what hard work and dedication can achieve.  

“Once again, I would like to congratulate you on your achievements and wish you every success in your future endeavours in your sporting careers.  We also take this opportunity to congratulate your Team Manager, Selectors and Trainers, your families and all who have contributed to your success. We wish you every success in the future and hope that we will be here again next year to celebrate another All-Ireland title. 

An Leath Cathaoirleach, John King, had similar sentiments to An  Cathaoirleach and assured that for the ladies involved the win will only become more and more special as they get older. 

“This is a great night tonight and it is with great honour that we can bestow a civic reception for you all. You all brought us great joy. For Laois as a team, to go to Croke park and play in Croke park is an honour in itself, but to achieve a win and to achieve an All-Ireland is absolutely wonderful. said An Leath Cathaoirleach

“I'm sure you all realise what you have achieved but as you get older the realisation of what you have achieved will be more evident. It's absolutely marvellous. You went in as underdogs which made the victory twice as good. 

“I'd like to say thanks to your manager and coaches and all the players involved. Everyone was behind you which made it very special. On My behalf I wish you all the best for now and the best for the future.”

Laois Manager Donie Brennan was also in attendance and 

“Thanks very much to the councillors for inviting us here tonight. we are very grateful to be here. We will bear this evening in mind when the local elections come around. 

Just getting back to the team itself, We achieved the ultimate honour that we could by winning the All Ireland intermediate championship in 2022. I think the euphoria that all Laois people felt that day was huge. Says Brennan

“We were representing ourselves, our family our clubs and of course the whole county. We have been crying out for a bit of success in the county for a long time and everyone got behind the team on the day. The dedication of every team member throughout the panel all year was incredible. They were all so committed to the cause. Ultimately they got their award.

 I suppose from all of us on the panel, we are very appreciative to be here first and foremost and to the girls, themselves yous truly deserve being here. The girls are now household names. They've been a great inspiration to the youth. And finally thanks again for inviting us here tonight.