PREVIEW: Laois have two scores to settle with Down in Tailteann Cup showdown
A place in next weekend's Croke Park semi-finals awaits the winners as Laois take on Down in Portlaoise
The Laois senior footballers will look to continue their impressive Tailteann Cup campaign when they welcome Down to O'Moore Park on Saturday afternoon for a quarter-final clash with a place in the last four on the line.
Justin McNulty's side have eased their way to this stage, recording two comprehensive victories to book their place in the knockout stages. They opened their campaign with a convincing win over Wicklow in Portlaoise on Sunday, May 10, before travelling to Ruislip two weeks later to take on London.
While London reduced the deficit to just three points with 48 minutes played, Laois responded emphatically, finishing the stronger to pull away for a 15-point victory and secure automatic qualification for the quarter-finals.
That result meant Laois have enjoyed a three-week break while waiting to discover their opponents. The Round 3 games took place last weekend before Monday's draw paired them with Down in what promises to be one of the standout ties of the round.
The sides last met in the final round of the Division 3 National Football League in Newry at the end of March, where an already-promoted Down were beaten 2-22 to 0-24 by Laois. Laois finished fourth in the table, while Down went on to win the Division 3 final against Wexford after extra time at Croke Park.
Ordinarily, winning Division 3 would have secured Down a place in the Sam Maguire Cup. However, Westmeath's victory in the Leinster Championship altered the qualification picture, meaning Down instead entered the Tailteann Cup. It is a competition Down know well, having lifted the trophy in 2024 when they defeated Saturday's opponents in the final at Croke Park.
That 2024 final saw Down win by two points, although the margin was deceptive. They led by five entering injury time before Mark Barry produced one of the finest goals ever seen at Croke Park to cut the deficit to two.
The previous year also saw the counties meet in the Tailteann Cup semi-final at Croke Park. Billy Sheehan's Laois side were hammered by Down, who scored 8-16 in what proved to be Sheehan's final game before Justin McNulty took charge. As if matters were not difficult enough for Laois, a flock of seagulls famously circled overhead throughout the afternoon, becoming an enduring image of that forgettable day in 2023.
Down arrive in Portlaoise with strong championship credentials. They reached the Ulster semi-finals after producing one of the shocks of the championship by defeating reigning provincial champions, 2025 All-Ireland finalists and 2026 Division 1 winners Donegal. Their run ended a week later when Armagh proved too strong in the semi-final on their way to winning their first Ulster title since 2008.
Laois will take confidence from their league victory over Down earlier this year and from the attacking form they have displayed in the Tailteann Cup to date. However, with memories of defeats to the Mourne men in the 2023 semi-final and the 2024 final still fresh, Justin McNulty's side will be eager to settle old scores and book their place in the last four.
Victory would see Laois book a place in next weekend's Tailteann Cup semi-finals at Croke Park, where the remaining four teams will contest a double-header. Elsewhere in the quarter-finals, Fermanagh take on Sligo, Offaly face Wexford and Antrim meet Wicklow. The semi-final draw will take place on Monday, June 15.
Throw-in at Laois Hire O'Moore Park is at 4pm on Saturday, June 13. The game will be shown live on GAA+, while the Leinster Express/Laois Live will provide live updates from O'Moore Park from 3.50pm.