IN PICTURES: Town Ball debut at Christmas in Laois at Portlaoise GAA club

Portlaoise GAA members enjoyed a fantastic day of hybrid sport over Christmas at its inaugural Town Ball Christmas Compass Tournament in Rathleague. The club says Town Ball is a hybrid of Gaelic Football, Tag Rugby, NFL, and AFL, makes its debut. To READ more about the day see below this picture. To see more pictures taken by Denis Byrne for the Leinster Express / Laois Live tap NEXT or ARROW.

The Club described the event on December 28 as a day of great entertainment, banter and no little skill where it was brilliant to see the number of players, and especially those coming from minor ranks, who took part.

Sean Conlan, a proud Stradbally man, but a man with terrific friendships in Portlaoise and Portlaoise GAA too, was the star of the show in the end, and his last-gasp kick ensured an overall Townball win for Conlan’s Cowboys.

Sean entered the spirit of the occasion by donning a town jersey but he quickly put the little town one back on when the spoils were won.

Pat Critchley was praised for putting this tournament together and thanks to all of his helpers who included James Brown, Brochan O'Reilly, Brian Scully, David Powders, Gareth Keogh, Sean Conlan, Richie Coss, and many more.

The plan is to expand this to the ladies side next year and to encourage all seniors to take part. The club says it’s an initiative to make players coming from minor feel very welcome and to integrate them smoothly into the adult end of things in the club.

"Well done to players, managers, organisers, helpers and supporters who ensured the day was a great success," concluded the club on facebook.