'The pressure's on Antrim' - Pat Collier and Rob Jones embrace Laois' underdog tag

For the third year running, Laois Camogie will walk out at Croke Park on All-Ireland final day, with joint-managers Pat Collier and Robert Jones hoping to guide the county to a second successive All-Ireland title following last year's Premier Junior success.

After overseeing a training session in Borris-in-Ossory on Sunday morning, Collier provided an update on the squad's condition ahead of this weekend's Intermediate decider. While several players are still racing against time to prove their fitness, the management team has deliberately eased back on training in recent days due to the dry conditions underfoot.

“All good, a few injuries there that are starting to clear up. Hopefully they'll be cleared up in time. Just working on a light session this morning. The ground is very hard so we have to be careful. Those three girls, hopefully they'll be okay. We really won’t know until Friday. There's a couple of them on the fence now at the minute. We’ll give them every chance. We need everybody, a big task,” Collier said.

Laois have enjoyed a three-week break since overcoming Kerry in the semi-final, and that period has been used not only to prepare for Antrim but also to identify areas for improvement. One aspect that has received particular attention is the slow start against the Kingdom.

“We analysed the video and looked at a few places where we fell down, especially our start. We've worked hard over the last three weeks now on that. We need to get that in order in Croke Park or we’ll be in trouble,” Collier explained.

The Laois management has also spent time analysing Sunday's opponents and is well aware of the threats Antrim possess. Even so, Collier stressed that his side's own performance remains the biggest priority, with different tactical options still under consideration.

“The pace of Antrim, the pace of their game. The pace of their puck outs. I know the referee the last game let them puck out every ball fast. We just knuckle down on the things we think. We have to concentrate on ourselves as well. We have two ways of playing so we have to decide which one we’ll start with,” he said.

Although Laois conceded goals early in both halves against Kerry, Collier felt his side's response, particularly after the interval, showed exactly what they are capable of producing on the biggest stage.

“Our start was poor. I didn't mind the second half, I didn't really consider that a bad start. I thought it was a fantastic goal. When I looked at it again, I wouldn't blame them. I thought Laois were outstanding in the second half. Brilliant performance and if they bring that to the final, we have a chance,” he added.

Jones echoed Collier’s assessment of Antrim, describing them as favourites while insisting Laois cannot afford another sluggish opening if they are to cause an upset.

“They still are. We know what Antrim are like now after seeing them a couple of times. As Pat said, a very pacey team, a young team. We're just going to have to start from the first minute this time. Take our opportunities as well when the chances come,” Jones remarked.

Antrim's return to the Intermediate grade comes after spending this season competing in Division 1 of the National League following relegation from the senior championship in 2025, giving them experience against some of the country's strongest counties.

“They had a good campaign in Division 1. They beat Cork by a point, I think, that's no mean feat. We know we're in for a huge battle against Antrim. All we can do is prepare as best we can. The girls are in good form, plenty of excitement, enjoying the build-up, but come next Sunday, it'll be all guns blazing,” he continued.

Throughout the campaign, Jones has been impressed by the dedication shown by the panel, highlighting the sacrifices players continue to make while balancing camogie with college, work and school commitments.

“Huge commitment. They love playing for Laois, to be fair. There's a huge bond between them. Huge sacrifices, girls in college, work, school even. It's a huge commitment, but they enjoy it. When you're winning games, it's easy to come to the training ground looking for more. So hopefully, come Sunday, we'll get one more,” he commented.

Confidence within the camp has also been boosted by Camross' All-Ireland Intermediate club success at Croke Park last December. Jones believes that achievement has reinforced the belief that this Laois side belongs on the biggest stage, while also paying tribute to captain Aimee Collier's influence.

“Aimee is a huge leader in this team. She had a great year last year, especially with Laois and then again with Camross, two games in Croke Park in one year; not too many people can say that. That's after driving Laois on too, no doubt, winning a Club Intermediate title. It brings the belief into our girls that we're good enough to compete at that level too,” Jones stated.

Collier also feels Laois' growing familiarity with Croke Park could work in their favour. As well as the Camross contingent, a number of St Brigid's players have gained valuable experience from recent club campaigns, ensuring there will be no fear of the occasion.

“Antrim were in the All-Ireland Final in 2021; they won the intermediate All-Ireland, so they went up senior. I think they have about seven of that panel there away. For us, it's the third year in a row in Croke Park; four or five Camross girls were there as well. Clodagh Tynan, Laura Finlay, Sarah Creagh, those girls were in an All-Ireland semi-final the year before with their club as well. So Robert and I, we're not worried about experience or anything; we have the experience. We just need to get our act together on the day and get our match-ups right, and we'll give this a hell of a go,” Collier said.

Among the squad's experienced players is Sarah Creagh, who is aiming to collect a third All-Ireland medal after first tasting success with Laois more than a decade ago. Having battled back from injury this season, the defender earned glowing praise from Collier.

“It's brilliant. Sarah Creagh, she might have missed a year or two up and down with injury or whatever, but a great stalwart of our team. She was unlucky this year, a bad injury during the year, only starting to get back to herself. For the last game or two now, I think Sarah's starting to really come good again. She was fantastic in last year's All-Ireland final, unlucky not to get an All-Star, I thought. I was hoping she would. She's a great girl, but these are some bunch. People talk about managers, and I don't buy into any of that rubbish. I think anyone could train this team. You've got to have the stuff and you've got to have the talent, and we have that,” he added.

Despite reaching another All-Ireland final, Laois have done so without the benefit of this year's minor panel, something Collier admits was a significant setback. Nevertheless, he believes the younger players already involved with the squad have stepped up impressively throughout the campaign and helped drive standards within the group.

“We're blessed, but for Laois this year, we got a kick in the teeth in January because we weren't allowed our minors this year. We have eight or nine adult clubs. All these other counties, Antrim, have 22. We have two or three minors that would be well in the hunt on that team. The younger girls that you've asked from last year, they've been brilliant, like Catherine Kirby, Amy Lacey and Lucy Conroy. Lucy was only with us for a few months last year. These girls, of course, they've driven it on. We've huge experience. We just need a little bit of luck on the day,” Collier concluded.

While Jones will be on the sideline alongside Collier, he can draw on his own memories of playing in Croke Park. The former Laois footballer featured in the county's 1998 minor All-Ireland final, but admits this journey with the current camogie squad has provided an even greater sense of fulfilment.

“I think it tops it, to be honest. That's a long time ago now, 1998 I think it was. We were going for three All-Irelands in a row, and I managed to get on the team for the third year. It was a huge experience being in Croke Park. I think I played in Croke Park four times in the space of two months: Leinster semi-final, final, All-Ireland semi-final, and final. We were unlucky not to win the final. Compared to now, there are huge highs in this. It's great excitement. The girls, especially in tight games this year, the way they battled through and won the All-Ireland semi-final was huge, especially after coming up intermediate. To see the girls, the effort they put in, it's unbelievable. That gives me and Pat huge pleasure,” he reflected.

Although Laois are just 60 minutes away from another All-Ireland title, neither manager believes the expectation is on their side. Their aim at the beginning of the season was simply to establish themselves at Intermediate level following promotion, but the players have surpassed those ambitions by reaching Sunday's decider.

Pat added simply: “The pressure's on Antrim.”

Jones agreed that the squad's progress has exceeded what the management initially set out to achieve, paying tribute to the belief and determination shown by the players from the outset.

“I suppose at the start of the year, myself and Pat said, look, just to compete at this level and stay up was probably one of our first goals, but I said it before, these girls had different ideas. They knew themselves that they were well good enough, and they were the ones that drove it on. To see that from us looking in, it's massive,” Jones concluded.