It was the list that almost crashed the LaoisToday site.
Back in the summer of 2017, someone in the office came up with the bright idea of picking Laois’s hottest men. It was a mammoth task, one so big that we asked for your help. We put the shout out looking for nominations – and boy (excuse the pun) did they flood in.
On the back of those nominations and with some local knowledge that our judging panel possessed we put the list together and what a fine-looking group it was. There were probably some notable absentees and some may be peeved at their actual ranking. But it’s a topic we will return to – and as we’ve said over and over again, lists like these are like the Stock Exchange. Your value can fall as well as rise.
Below we reproduce the list of 30 and what we had to say about them.
Enjoy!
We’ve searched, googled and Facebook stalked and finally it’s here – our list of Laois’s Hottest Men.
We had thousands of men nominated by wives, girlfriends, mothers, and even themselves! Our judging panel (who have asked that we protect their identity), had a massive job to whittle it down to 30 and then decide the order.
We’ve gone for a mixture of older and younger gentlemen, sports stars, musicians, actors, pretty boys and everything in between.
This was a completely open judging process. The only criteria being, you had to be a man from Laois. There was no age or relationship status limit.
This is a two-part list, with numbers 30 to 11 revealed today and the Top 10 will be announced next week.
30. Brian Burnell
Brian must have been nominated numerous times for this prestigious list. This Abbeyleix man proved extremely popular in our comments and sees off his brother Alan for inclusion.
29. Brian Kelly
This Killeshin runner may claim to live in Carlow now but we are claiming him as one of Laois’s hottest men.
28. James Moore
Ballyfin man James was one of the two Moores brothers in contention and just made the cut ahead of his brother, Sean.
27. Ryan Mullaney
The strapping Laois hurler makes this list after proving to be a hit with the ladies and receiving countless nominations. A great representative from Castletown.
26. Hugh Finn
This Rathdowney man was suggested to us by his partner and what woman doesn’t find musicians attractive.
25. Kieran Leavy
One of the older gentlemen to make the list, this Portarlington native and Liam Gallagher lookalike is no stranger to the camera or the public arena.
24. Darren Rooney
Darren has represented Laois in both codes, but surely making this list is an even bigger honour again. Surely enough to go down in Clonaslee history.
23. Alan Kinsella
Alan came strongly recommended in our messages and we felt a duty to do right by the girls who are in support of the Courtwood man. He claims number 23 on the list.
22. Finbarr Crowley
Finbarr is another man who was suggested to us and the Emo footballer looks just as good in a suit as in a jersey.
21. Paddy Downey
Paddy wasn’t the only Downey to be suggested for the list but the ladies voted for him purely for that smile.
20. Justin Treacy
The RTÉ presenter who hails from Emo has a certain charm and ease about him which places him at number 20 on our list.
19. JoJo Salmon
JoJo was recommended to us and it’s easy to see why. His travel pics also give us serious envy too.
18. Ross King
The Laois hurling captain has a great sense of humour, if his interviews are anything to go by and is also not too hard on the eye.
17. Thomas Cosby
Thomas Cosby of Stradbally Estate is probably best known for renting out his property for Electric Picnic. But his sophistication and poise see him included here.
16. Stuart Quinn
What is it with women and musicians? The Transmitter frontman and Portlaoise native makes it to number 16.
15. Shane Nerney
As seen here, Nerney manages to look just as good off the pitch as he does on it for O’Dempsey’s.
14. Seamus Stapleton
This Mountmellick man famously appeared on the Late Late Show during a Valentine’s Day dating game. Although unlucky to not get a date on that occasion, his dating plan will be on the up after making it onto this list.
13. Paul Byrne
Being suggested by Ireland runner Jessica Barr is a serious recommendation. Top that with a sprinter’s physique and Paul earns his way onto the list.
12. Eoghan White
Eoghan is a prominent force on the soccer field and a hit with the ladies as a barman. A man who knows how to make a drink will never go astray.
11. Adam Murphy
Mountmellick man Adam was unlucky not to make it into our Top 10 but makes it in after having glowing recommendations from his friends.
The Top Ten is a mixture of athletes, actors, a model or two and just generally the best-looking lads in the county.
10. Aaron Forbes
The Graigue man was an in-house nomination for his stature alone. This full-forward is active on social media and gives us all an insight into antics both on and off the pitch.
9. Zach Tuohy
The Portlaoise man is well respected for his footballing and AFL abilities and works the beard and tattoo sleeve extremely well.
8. Emmet Byrne
Actor Emmet may be best known for his role as Ray Lamont in the RTÉ series Striking Out. The 27-year-old from Ballyroan has also appeared in Red Rock and Burning Wishes and can now add his place on this list to his CV.
7. Liam Hyland
Liam came highly recommended via Facebook comments and with his rugged good looks and cheeky smile it’s easy to see why his male friends think he is deserving of a place here.
6. Richard McElwee
Mountmellick man Richard made an unforgettable appearance on the hit dating show Take Me Out, where all the ladies left their lights on as he walked out. That in itself gives Richard a deserving place on this list.
5. Eoghan Masterson
The Connacht back row and Portlaoise man was a sure spot at some stage on our list. Besides, what’s hotter than a professional rugby player?
4. Garry Comerford
The Stradbally man has certainly made waves in the Irish soccer scene playing for Shamrock Rovers and now Waterford FC. Although he may not always be in the county any more, proudly claiming the personal trainer as being one of Laois’s Hottest men.
3. Ross Munnelly
Laois footballing legend Ross was the crush of many of the girls growing up as he has regularly graced our television screens. The Arles-Kilcruise man seems to never age and is our top footballer on the list.
2. Mike Gibson
Artist Mike has gained a mass of followers on Instagram which includes Rihanna, Calvin Harris and Jessie J. His artwork is simply phenomenal, as are his cheekbones, both of which place the Portarlington man at number two on this list.
1. Robert Sheehan
There are no surprises with our number one pick here. Robert’s illustrious acting career includes Misfits, Love/Hate, Cherrybomb, Killing Bono and City of Bones. With his cheekbones, acting skills and all-round good looks Sheehan was destined for the top spot on this list.
SEE ALSO – Revealed: We’ve selected Laois’s Top 25 Instagrammers
