Laois All Stars Pat Critchley and Colm Browne with Peter Carroll and Peter's Outstanding contribution award at the Laois GAA Awards in The Heritage in Portlaoise in 2005.
Picture: Alf Harvey.
Whatever about there being Laois GAA awards for the 2020 season, it’s unlikely there will be an awards night.
It has become a staple of the local GAA calendar when the player of the year awards, as well as a handful of other honours, are handed out a celebratory event.
In 2005, as the Celtic Tiger roared and Laois football was on the crest of a wave, the Heritage Hotel (now the Midlands Park), was packed to capacity to celebrate the year that was.
It was a season that saw Stradbally crowned Laois senior football champions in dramatic fashion and Castletown win their eighth senior hurling title.
As well as that the Laois minor footballers were crowned Leinster champions.
It was also a memorable year for Crettyard, who won the Laois and Leinster intermediate football titles.
Award winners wore black tie – and were presented by Laois’s first two All Stars, Pat Critchley and Colm Browne.
And one of the best photos from the event is a photo of the two Laois and Portlaoise greats with Outstanding Contribution award winner Peter Carroll.
You can check out a selection of Alf Harvey’s photos below.
Anne Marie Kelly, Colm Kelly, senior footballer of the year; Gemma O’Connor, ladies footballer of the year and Aimee Kelly at the Laois GAA Awards in The Heritage. Picture: Alf Harvey.Laois All Stars Pat Critchley and Colm Browne with Peter Carroll and Peter’s Outstanding contribution award at the Laois GAA Awards in The Heritage Portlaoise. Picture: Alf Harvey.The Carroll family celebrate with David, Minor footballer of the year, and Peter, Outstanding Contribution award winner at the Laois GAA Awards in The Heritage Portlaoise. Picture: Alf Harvey.John and Rita Stapleton with their son Brian, junior ‘B’ hurler of the year at the Laois GAA Awards. Picture: Alf Harvey.Barney and Sharon Maher with their son Darren and his Leinster Minor medal at the Laois GAA AwardsLeinster Minor medalist Scott Conroy and his dad Gerry Conroy at the Laois GAA Awards.Tom Jones and Frances and Joe O’Dwyer at the Laois GAA AwardsRegina and Louis Brennan and Tommy Treacy at the Laois GAA AwardsMick O’Dwyer, Helen Hanson and Dr. Hanson at the Laois GAA Awards Tom and Breda Kelly proud parents of senior footballer of the year Colm Kelly. Picture: Alf Harvey.Marian Maher, Christy Maher and Pat Maher at the Laois GAA Awards.Dick Butler and Rose Maher at the Laois GAA Awards in The Heritage Portlaoise. Picture: Alf Harvey.Sammy and Mary Kelly at the Laois GAA Awards in The HeritageCon and Collette Dowling at the Laois GAA Awards in The Heritage PortlaoiseShane and Geraldine Corby at the Laois GAA Awards in The Heritage Portlaoise .Pat and Theresa Carroll at the Laois GAA Awards in The Heritage PortlaoiseStephen Mortimer, Arien Delaney and Paddy Bergin at the Laois GAA Awards in The Heritage Portlaoise on Saturday night. Picture: Alf Harvey.Richard and Criona Moloney at the Laois GAA Awards in The HeritageBrian and Mary Allen at the Laois GAA Awards in The Heritage Portlaoise Brian Ferns, senior hurler of the year, with his parents Bernie and Mary FernsAll Star hurler Pat Critchley presents the Hurling referee award to Ollie Ryan All Star hurler Pat Critchley presents the Handball award to Joe BrennanAll Star footballer Colm Browne presents the Ladies football award to Gemma O’ConnorCounty Board chairman Dick Miller makes a presentation to The Rock GAA Club Scor team Laois Minor members of the Knockbeg College All Ireland winning team receive a presentation from County Board chairman Dick Miller .Minor selectors Paddy Howe, Eddie Kelly and Terry Smith receive a presentation from County Board chairman Dick MillerLeinster title winning Minor manager Andy Shortall receives a presentation from County Board chairman Dick Miller County Board chairman Dick Miller makes a presentation to Leinster Council vice-chairman Seamus HowlinAll Star footballer Colm Browne presents the Minor football award to David Carroll All Star hurler Pat Critchley presents the Intermediate hurling award to Brian Bowe All Star footballer Colm Browne presents the Intermediate football award to Cristoir Maher.All Star hurler Pat Critchley presents the Junior A hurling award to Donal BoweAll Star footballer Colm Browne presents the Junior A football award to Eoin BrowneAll Star hurler Pat Critchely presents the Junior B hurling award to Brian StapletonAll Star footballer Colm Browne presents the Junior B football award to Paul Kavanagh All Star hurler Pat Critchley presents the U-21 Hurling award to Malvin Maloney.All Star footballer Colm Browne presents the 2004 U-21 Football award to Rory StapletonAll Star hurler Pat Critchley presents the Minor hurling award to Colin DelaneyAll Star hurler Pat Critchely presents the Senior hurling award to Brian FernsAll Star footballer Colm Browne presents the Senior football award to Colm Kelly County Board chairman Dick Miller presents Peter Carroll with his Outstanding contribution award Award winners with County Board officials; Seamus Howlin, Leinster Council vice-chairman and Mark Gorman, Conference and Banqueting manager The Heritage Portlaoise (sponsor) at the Laois GAA Awards in The Heritage Portlaoise in 2005. Picture: Alf Harvey.All Star hurler Pat Critchley presents the 2004 U-21 Hurling award to Ray Cummins at the Laois GAA Awards in The Heritage Portlaoise
