The latest meeting of Laois County Council saw numerous Cllrs threw their weight behind various GAA clubs from around the county.
It all began when Fianna Fáil Cllr John Joe Fennelly congratulated Abbeyleix on their extra-time win over Rathdowney-Errill in Sunday’s O’Moore Park semi-final.
“I just want to congratulate the Abbeyleix senior hurlers on reaching the first senior hurling final in 74 years,” Cllr Fennelly said.
“It’s a great lift for the community, it’s great for our local GAA club, and I just want to wish them the best of luck in the final against Camross.”
Fellow Fianna Fáil Cllr, Catherine Fitzgerald was in agreement, singling out Abbeyleix goalkeeper, Enda Rowland for individual praise.
The Laois goalkeeper scored a goal directly from his own puck-out – something we are not sure has ever been done in Laois, or anywhere else, before.
“I was at the match and they were absolutely brilliant,” Cllr Fitzgerald said.
“It’s brilliant to see a team like Abbeyleix coming back into the senior championship, come up from intermediate, and now in a county final.
“They have an outstanding player in Enda Rowland, who has served Laois for the last number of years – one of the best goalkeepers, I would think, in the country.”
Independent Cllr, James Kelly was quick to give Camross his backing, however.
Camross needed a penalty shootout to win their semi-final, ending Clough-Ballacolla’s quest for four-in-a-row in the process.
“I’m disappointed Rathdowney-Errill and Clough-Ballacolla are gone, but Camross are in the final and they’ll be waiting,” Cllr Kelly said.
Fine Gael Cllr, John King offered his congratulations to Abbeyleix, but bemoaned the loss from a Rathdowney-Errill point of view.
He declared that Enda Rowland was so good – he could represent Ireland in the Olympics.
Cllr King said: “What the Abbeyleix goalkeeper did yesterday – to take a puck out and have it land it the net – sure he should be in the Olympics. An outstanding player.”
Cllr Ollie Clooney also congratulated Abbeyleix, but said they won’t be winning the Minor championship against The Harps.
“They’d want to do it with the seniors, because the minor will be gone and we’ll be having a big celebration in Durrow,” Cllr Clooney said.
The Harps brushed Castletown aside on Saturday afternoon and will fancy their chances in the final against Abbeyleix.
This year, the minor final will serve as the curtain raiser to the Senior Hurling Championship decider.
You can watch Enda Rowland’s amazing goal below:
GOAL FROM A PUCKOUT!! 🤯
Intercounty goalie Enda Rowland lands this monster of a puckout in the opposition goalie’s net👊
Watch this back in a game of the ages between @RathErrillGAA and Abbeyleix St Lazarians🏆
🔗https://t.co/yMkMTpFmTc pic.twitter.com/wK8qEyAEUt
— Clubber (@clubber) September 24, 2023
