PREVIEW: Result needed against Antrim as Laois senior hurlers look to revive Joe McDonagh Cup hopes
The Laois minor hurlers are also in championship action earlier in the day
All eyes turn to O'Moore Park this Saturday afternoon as the Laois senior hurlers face a must-win clash against Antrim in the second round of the Joe McDonagh Cup.
Laois come into the game under pressure following a disappointing nine-point defeat to Carlow in their championship opener at Netwatch Cullen Park. Four goals conceded, two in each half, proved costly as Carlow ran out 4-17 to 1-17 winners, leaving Tommy Fitzgerald’s side with little room for error heading into Round 2.
Antrim find themselves in a similar position. A late goal saw them edged out by Down in Dunloy last weekend, meaning both teams arrive in Portlaoise knowing that another defeat could seriously dent their hopes of reaching the final in what is a notoriously unforgiving competition.
Laois have been in this position before. In 2023, they missed out on a top-two finish after a defeat to Offaly and a draw with Carlow in their first two games. However, recent campaigns have shown that an opening-round loss is not necessarily fatal. Offaly rebounded from a Round 1 defeat in 2024 to go on and win the competition against Laois, while Kildare followed a similar path in 2025, defeating Laois in the final at Croke Park.
Speaking after last weekend’s loss, Laois manager Tommy Fitzgerald emphasised the need for an immediate response.
"It was always the way it was. You had to win at least one of the first two games, and that's the message for our own lads. We can't feel sorry for ourselves now. We're going to have to reset very quickly. It's all on the line now next Saturday evening."
"We're still in this competition. Look at the last two years, the last two winners lost their first-round games. We just have to bloody react the right way now and stick together, stay united, and just give an almighty performance next Saturday," he added.
Recent meetings suggest Laois will have a serious test on their hands. Antrim comfortably defeated them in Division 1B of the league in 2025, a result that contributed to Laois’ relegation. While Laois bounced back impressively by winning Division 2 in 2026, Antrim will take confidence from that previous victory.
Their last championship meeting came in July 2021 when Laois beat Antrim in Parnell Park in a Leinster Championship relegation play-off. Laois won 2-27 to 2-21.
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The sides have not met in the Joe McDonagh Cup since 2019, the year Laois last lifted the Joe McDonagh Cup, when the hosts recorded a 2-24 to 1-19 win in Portlaoise.
There is also pressure on Antrim boss Davy Fitzgerald, whose side endured a difficult championship campaign in 2025, losing all five games in the Leinster Championship before being relegated. They narrowly avoided another drop this year, surviving in Division 1B on scoring difference.
Throw-in for Saturday’s clash is at 4pm, with both sides knowing the stakes could hardly be higher.
Earlier in the day at the same venue, the Laois minor hurlers will be aiming to bounce back when they take on Wexford in the Leinster Championship.
Laois impressed despite a four-point defeat to Galway in their opening Tier 1 Phase 2 game, having progressed through Phase 1 with wins over Kerry, Kildare and Antrim. Wexford also come into the game on the back of a narrow loss, going down by three points to Dublin at Parnell Park.
With both sides seeking their first win of the phase, another competitive encounter is expected in Portlaoise.
LAOIS: Ryan Keeshan (Rathdowney-Errill); Conor Hickey (Borris-Kilcotton), Jack Rice (Mountrath), Darragh Keeshan (Borris-Kilcotton); Harry Donoghue (The Harps), Dan Bowe (Rathdowney-Errill), Oisin McRedmond (Portlaoise); Luke Hynes (Camross), Tadhg Hughes (Rosenallis); Dan Downey (Park-Ratheniska/ Timahoe), Bobby O’Connor (Trumera), Killian James (St Paul’s); Oisin Gilligan (Ballyfin), LJ Cuddy (Camross), Callum Jones (Borris-Kilcotton).
Laois v Wexford throws-in at 12pm in Laois Hire O'Moore Park on Saturday, April 25.