PREVIEW: New era begins as Laois Ladies open All-Ireland campaign against Clare

A new chapter begins for the Laois Ladies footballers on Sunday when they welcome Clare to Laois Hire O'Moore Park for the opening round of the All-Ireland Intermediate Championship.

It will be Laois' first competitive outing in five weeks and their first since a disappointing Leinster semi-final defeat to Westmeath in Mullingar.

That loss proved to be the final game of Stephen Duff's tenure as manager. Just three days later, Laois LGFA announced his departure and appointed Peter O'Leary as the county's new boss alongside Declan Lawlor and Conor Gorman

The new management team now faces a significant challenge as they attempt to revive a campaign that has already endured its share of setbacks.

Only last August, Laois were competing in the All-Ireland Intermediate final against Tyrone in Croke Park. Fast forward less than a year and the county finds itself preparing for life in Division 4 after suffering relegation from Division 3 earlier this spring.

Ironically, Sunday's opponents played a major role in that relegation.

When the sides met in Clarecastle during the league campaign, Clare emerged victorious on a 4-7 to 2-11 scoreline. The result proved crucial as both counties finished level on points, but Clare retained their Division 3 status courtesy of the superior head-to-head record.

That defeat highlighted an issue that has plagued Laois throughout 2026, conceding goals.

While Laois have generally had little difficulty putting scores on the board themselves, preventing green flags at the other end has been a recurring problem. Clare struck four goals when the sides met in the league, while Westmeath found the net five times in the Leinster semi-final.

Addressing that defensive vulnerability will surely be at the top of O'Leary's priority list. The challenge facing Laois is unlikely to be any easier this weekend. Clare arrive in Portlaoise with momentum after opening their championship campaign with an impressive 4-12 to 2-12 victory over Wexford.

That result was all the more notable given Wexford's strong campaign, which saw them reach the Leinster final before losing to Westmeath.

For Laois, the aim will be to make home advantage count and start the group on a positive note. Victory would not only provide a welcome boost under the county's new management team but also offer an opportunity to gain revenge for the league defeat that contributed to their relegation.

LAOIS: Eimear Barry (Ballinakill); Deirdre Phelan (Portlaoise), Sinead Farrelly (St Joseph's), Mary Cotter (St Conleth's); Faye McEvoy (Ballyroan), Andrea Moran (Ballyroan), Lara Culleton (Portlaoise); Sarah Larkin (Timahoe), Anna Healy (Park-Ratheniska); Fiona Dooley (Portlaoise), Shifra Havill (St Conleth's), Ciara Crowley (Portlaoise); Mary O'Hara (Park-Ratheniska), Emily Lacey (St Joseph's), Mia Branagan (Graiguecullen).

The hosts have plenty of attacking talent at their disposal. Emily Lacey, Fiona Dooley, Ciara Crowley and Mia Branagan are all capable of causing problems in attack, while Sarah Larkin and Anna Healy will be hoping to gain a foothold around midfield.

However, if Laois are to make a winning start, their defence will need to show the resilience that has too often been missing this year.

With a new management team in place and an All-Ireland campaign beginning, Sunday offers the chance for a fresh start. Whether Laois can seize it remains to be seen.

Throw-in at Laois Hire O'Moore Park, Portlaoise, is at 2pm.