We are officially into the first weekend of 2024 and aside from the soccer leagues, there is no other local sport to speak of taking place.
So, the LaoisToday team have come together to make their sporting predictions for the year ahead.
Steven Miller, Alan Hartnett, Barry McEvoy, Mark Comerford and Pauric Ramsbottom look at what 2024 has in store.
Locally, they all predict what lies in store for the Laois footballers and hurlers plus the local GAA scene.
While nationally, they look ahead to the Euros, Six Nations, Champions League and All-Ireland series.
Check it all out below:
Steven Miller
Close to home …
How will the Laois footballers do in 2024?
After a couple of tough years and the all-time low of conceding eight goals to Down in last year’s Tailteann Cup semi-final in Croke Park, you can be forgiven for coming into 2024 with extremely low expectations.
But that’s not to say, our county football team can’t enjoy relative success in 2024.
Promotion from Division 4 of the National League is an attainable target. A respectable showing in the Leinster championship and another quarter-final or semi-final appearance in the Tailteann Cup would be a reasonable showing.
And the hurlers?
For the first time in a decade Laois won’t play in Division 1 of the league. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing and they should have a very good chance of winning a Division 2 title where Carlow, Down, Kerry, Meath and Kildare are the opposition.
The Joe McDonagh Cup could be tougher. Our hunch is that they’ll win the league but fall a bit short in the championship.
Ladies football?
After four years under Donie Brennan, the Laois ladies football team are under new management and have had a significant level of player turnover so maintaining their Division 2 status in the league and senior in the championship looks like the challenge.
Camogie?
Following eventual relegation from the intermediate grade in 2023, Laois should be among the front runners for Junior All Ireland honours.
A day out in Croke Park would be a nice one!
What young player are you most looking forward to seeing play?
Rioghan Murphy. The Portarlington man has been an outstanding senior club player since 2020 and is now part of the Laois senior football panel for the first time.
He should get his chance in the National League and has the potential to nail down a starting place, likely on the half-forward line.
Who do you think will win the Laois senior hurling and football championships in 2024?
I think there’s another championship in Rathdowney-Errill.
The football could be as open as it has in an awful long time. Ballyroan-Abbey have to step up and become serious challengers very soon and Portlaoise will never be far away, even if they have regressed from the side that dominated for so long.
Portarlington, too, look to be slipping well back into the pack. But our choice is once again to go for St Joseph’s. With the monkey off their back, they can win the Jack Delaney Cup back-to-back for the first time since 1977-78.
Any of the other grades?
I’ll abstain on intermediate football due to my own club’s involvement. St Joseph’s second team will have to be strong contenders for the Junior ‘A’ with Barrowhouse and Kilcavan probably leading the way for the first teams at that level. A rejuvenated O’Dempsey’s second team may not be far away either.
In hurling, I’d make Borris-Kilcotton the hottest of favourites for the Premier Intermediate. The Intermediate should be very finely-balanced but I’ll go for one of the second teams, perhaps The Harps.
What one thing would you like to see changed/introduced on the local sports scene in 2024?
I’d like to see club grounds used more for competitive games. While it makes life a lot more difficult for us in the media in terms of providing Live Blogs and immediate match reports, it does seem to make for far better occasions than a tiny crowd in O’Moore Park.
As well as club championship games, I’d see nothing wrong with playing National League matches in the likes of Crettyard, Portarlington, Stradbally, Mountrath or Rathdowney.
On a personal level, what would you like to see in 2024?
I’d like to see my own club Annanough make a positive statement on their return to the intermediate football grade and win promotion to Division 3 of the league.
And on an even more localised level, I hope the Annanough U-9 team that I help coach continue to improve, enjoy their football and keep coming back to play week after week!
Further afield …
What sports event, anywhere in the world, would you most like to attend in 2024?
An Olympic Track and Field event in Paris. I regret not making the effort to get tickets for something when it was in London in 2012.
Paris is as close as the Olympics are ever likely to be – I’m keeping an eye on tickets!
Failing that, a Liverpool match in Anfield is one on my bucket list. If any of our readers have access to tickets, please get in touch!
What Irish sports person would you most like to see achieve success?
Shane Lowry. He’s one of the most likeable Irish sports stars of this or any other generation.
Who’ll win Euro 2024?
England.
Champions League?
Real Madrid.
Six Nations?
After the disappointment (and excitement) of the World Cup it will be a comedown though it should start with a cracker of a game between Ireland and France, a game that has both an unusual Friday night slot and a somewhat unusual venue in Marseilles.
The winner of that will win the Six Nations and right now my money would be on France.
All Ireland hurling and football?
I think Limerick will fall short in their bid for five-in-a-row but saying who will win it is harder. I’ll go for Galway.
In the football, I think Kerry will come again.
Alan Hartnett
Close to home …
How will the Laois footballers do in 2024?
After a disappointing end to 2023, the Laois footballers will be hoping for better in 2024. Promotion from Division 4 is certainly achievable but the opening two games against Wexford and Longford are tough and will ultimately play a big role in how the campaign unfolds.
Like last year, it is hard to see the Leinster championship being anything more than a glorified waste of time for all involved. Laois will play Offaly in Round 1 and if they win that, they face Dublin again. While having them in O’Moore Park for the second year running is a nice occasion, the likelihood of a positive result is beyond slim.
After that it will be all about the Tailteann Cup. It is hard to make predictions regarding a competition when you are not certain what teams will even be in it. But Laois made the semis last year and that should be the target again.
And the hurlers?
After a difficult 2023 which included relegation in the league and a failure to make the Joe McDonagh Cup final, hopes would certainly be higher for this season.
Willie Maher is into his second year and Division 2 will be a much more forgiving place. Laois should be well capable of reaching the final and if they won it, it would send them into the championship in a far better frame of mind than off the back of constant hammerings over the last number of years.
Laois were not far away in the Joe McDonagh Cup last year with a draw in Carlow thanks to a the concession of a last minute goal ultimately scuppering them. They should be capable of making the final this year and bringing us back to Croke Park.
Ladies football?
All the early signs point to 2024 being a difficult year for the Laois Ladies. After years of progression under Donie Brennan that saw them rise to Division 2 in the league and Senior in the championship, it looks like maintaining that should be the challenge this year.
With many of the more established players seemingly having stepped away, new managers Tom Devereux and Billy Kiernan are set to have a very young squad at their disposal this year and they will need time to adjust to this level.
Camogie?
Laois were finally relegated to Premier Junior for 2024 after being relegated in 2023 and 2022 from Intermediate. This youthful group of players should be well capable of reaching the final of this competition.
What young player are you most looking forward to seeing play?
For the Laois footballers, Shaun Fitzpatrick is my choice. Recently named U-20 player of the year, he has been consistently performing since about the age of 13. He made his debut in the O’Byrne Cup v Offaly where he kicked a point and he is a player with a real X Factor about him.
For the hurlers, Tom Cuddy. Still U-20 for another two years, he made his senior debut against Offaly on Thursday evening. He was excellent for Camross last year and while inter-county is a whole different level, he has the skillset and the temperament to cope with it.
Who do you think will win the Laois senior hurling and football championships in 2024?
The Laois football championship is probably as open as it has been for the last number of years. St Joseph’s are champions but there will be plenty of challengers for their crown with the likes of Portlaoise, Portarlington, O’Dempsey’s, Ballyroan-Abbey and Graiguecullen not far away.
I’ll go for St Joseph’s for now but don’t be surprised to see me flip-flop on several occasions as the year goes on – a regular Podcast listener likes to describe me as Frankie Dettori when it comes to such matters.
The senior hurling championship had a big four for the last decade but Abbeyleix broke that up this year by reaching the final.
Camross and Clough-Ballacolla are under new management this year and only penalties separated them last year so I’ll go with Ballacolla for now.
Any of the other grades?
Intermediate football looks extremely difficult to call as I don’t see Park-Ratheniska waltzing back up in the way that The Heath and Ballylinan have in the past two years. Perhaps 2024 can be Crettyard’s year? I’ll go for Kilcavan to claim Junior ‘A’ glory.
Borris-Kilcotton have to be favourites to win Premier Intermediate in hurling while Mountmellick, a bit like Crettyard above, might finally get over the line in Intermediate.
What one thing would you like to see changed/introduced on the local sports scene in 2024?
Unlike some of my colleagues, from a work point of view, I don’t mind the games being in O’Moore Park as the facilities make our jobs easier.
The treatment of referees by players and supporters is the thing I would like to see change. Some of the abuse we witness at games and afterwards is disgusting. And it is even worse online.
I would like to see proper sanctions put in place to stamp it out because pretty soon, we’ll be left with very few referees. I think we all have a responsibility here.
On a personal level, what would you like to see in 2024?
Stradbally to finally win the Junior B! We’ve been beaten in a final and two semi finals over the last three years so we’re hoping to get over the line this year.
Further afield …
What sports event, anywhere in the world, would you most like to attend in 2024?
I’m going to the Sunday of the British Open in July this year so that is certainly one to tick off the bucket list.
I’d love to go to Cheltenham for the races but I don’t think the budget will stretch that far this year!
What Irish sports person would you most like to see achieve success?
I’d love to see Rory McIlroy win another major. He comes across as a decent sort of fella and is a United fan like myself.
Who’ll win Euro 2024?
France. If they had a B team, they’d be hard to beat too.
Champions League?
Man City, sadly.
Six Nations?
Ireland. Aren’t we always class as far away from a World Cup cycle as possible?
All Ireland hurling and football?
Limerick for hurling. And I think Dublin can win the football again. Very boring, I know.
Barry McEvoy
Close to home …
How will the Laois footballers do in 2024?
Promotion from Division 4 has to be a big aim for Justin McNulty and his side this year. They lost out on promotion by the barest of margins last year and they are currently favourites to win the division.
Offaly is up first in the Leinster Championship and one would be hopeful of a win there so set up another Dublin invasion of O’Moore Park, where the hope there would just be bettering last year’s result. The Tailteann Cup is anyone’s guess.
And the hurlers?
I’d be hoping for a much more positive year this year, and that started with the Walsh Cup win over Offaly.
Laois lost their Division 1 league status last year, but that could very well prove to be a good thing for Willie Maher’s team.
They will face Meath, Down, Kerry, Carlow and Kildare in Division 2 and there’s no reason why they couldn’t win every game there and bring huge momentum into the Joe McDonagh Cup.
The Joe McDonagh Cup campaign opens up with a huge game at home to last year’s finalists Offaly and a win there would set Laois up perfectly as they would travel to Meath then in the second game.
Ever the optimist with Laois hurling, I’m going all out and saying they’ll do the double.
Ladies football?
Tom Devereux and Billy Kiernan have a tough act to follow in taking over from Donie Brennan, who had a very successful period over the Laois ladies.
Another Division 2 league final would be a good achievement, especially given the losses of some key players for the 2024 season in the likes of Erone Fitzpatrick and Anna Healy.
Despite battling through a fierce senior championship Laois pulled it out of the bag to defeat Cavan to retain senior status last year and repeating that feat would be a good aim for the year ahead.
Camogie?
Noel Brennan’s Laois camogie team is far and away the youngest adult intercounty side in Laois.
They’ve had a tough couple of year both on and off the field, with plenty of confusion about their status last year having lost a relegation final the year previous but it being determined by the powers that be that they shouldn’t be relegated – explain that one!
After enduring a tough league things didn’t get much better in the Intermediate Leinster Championship and it eventually culminated in relegation at the hands of Dublin.
This year they will play in the Junior Championship (provided the association don’t decide otherwise!) and I’d be expecting some more positive results there from what is an up and coming team.
What young player are you most looking forward to seeing play?
There’s a raft of excellent young hurlers in Laois on the U-20 scene, it’s very difficult to pick just one. Tom Cuddy is an obvious standout after his incredible year at half back for Camross in just his first year as an adult hurler.
He started for Laois against Offaly in the Walsh Cup and played the full game, not once looking out of place and it will be interesting to see if he keeps his spot on the senior panel.
Three players entering their first adult seasons this year who will be very exciting to watch are Justin Duggan, Eoghan Murphy and Cormac Byrne.
Who do you think will win the Laois senior hurling and football championships in 2024?
I think Camross will be tough to beat in the hurling championship again this year. There won’t be a huge loss of players from the 2023 team and the likes of Mossy Keyes, Tom Cuddy, Cathal Cuddy, James Cuddy, Dan Delaney and Liam Delaney will only get better.
They have a ‘new’ manager in Camross man Arien Delaney who was over the team just a few years ago and won’t need any time at all to settle in.
I’ll say St Joseph’s again, they have plenty of young talent coming up having reached the minor final last year as well and winning is a habit. They finally got over the hump against Portlaoise and that could be the catalyst for a successful few years.
Any of the other grades?
In the Premier IHC, Borris-Kilcotton should win it. Ballinakill or Ballyfin could prove to be a thorn in their side, but man for man Borris-Kilcotton are the strongest in that division.
In the IHC, like last year, this grade is very tough to call. Slieve Bloom came down from Premier Intermediate but it won’t be easy for them to bounce back up, I’ll go with Trumera.
Crettyard will come back strong in 2024 in the IFC I reckon after the heartbreak of losing last year’s final in the Centre of Excellence.
Evan O’Carroll, Jonah Kelly and Cormac Murphy is serious firepower for this level.
The JFC was a very interesting championship last year and if The Harps continue their footballing exploits they’ll be hard to stop.
What one thing would you like to see changed/introduced on the local sports scene in 2024?
Easy to read numbers on the backs of jerseys for reporters who are visually impaired (cough, cough, Killeshin). The camogie association have the right idea!
On a personal level, what would you like to see in 2024?
Castletown winning the senior championship!
Further afield …
What sports event, anywhere in the world, would you most like to attend in 2024?
The Super Bowl. We could surely find a Laois angle to make it worth a trip over to cover it! Perhaps Ross Bolger might get there in the coming years!
What Irish sports person would you most like to see achieve success?
I always like to see Shane Lowry going well and would like to see him win another major – despite him being from Offaly.
Hopefully JP McManus has a good year also and the clubs get another few Euro out of it.
Who’ll win Euro 2024?
France please God, as it’s probably between them and England.
Champions League?
I reckon Harry Kane will finally get a worthwhile medal with Bayern Munich.
Six Nations?
Very hard to call between France and Ireland, I’ll be optimistic and go for Ireland.
All Ireland hurling and football?
Limerick will likely win the hurling, but of the outsiders I think Clare have the best chance of rattling them – they would’ve made for a much better 2023 final than Kilkenny.
Kerry will come back strong for the football and David Clifford will lead the way and cement his GOAT status in the process.
Mark Comerford
Close to home …
How will the Laois footballers do in 2024?
Justin McNulty has his work cut out for him. The League presents a great opportunity to mould the team in his image, which may be an even greater priority than promotion out of Division 4.
Tipperary and Longford were relegated from Division 3 last year, so both will be aiming for an immediate return.
And it is Longford first up for Laois, which should be a good gauge of where we are, and what we can look forward to throughout the league.
That is as far as I will go, because after the Down game last year, I don’t want to even think about Tailteann.
And the hurlers?
The win over Offaly was a great start to the season, and just reward to manager Willie Maher for trusting so many of his younger players.
There is a balanced mix of youth and experience in the squad, that will surely help the team as the season progresses.
There is a real chance of silverware this year, starting with the League. Carlow, Kildare, Meath, Down and Kerry are all games Laois should win.
Anything other than immediate promotion back to Division 1 would be a disappointment. Winning the League would set them up perfectly for the Joe McDonagh Cup, and I think they have enough to get over the line.
Ladies football?
I saw a huge amount of Ladies club football last year, and it has me feeling very confident for 2024. There are serious players up and down the county, with plenty of young blood coming through.
The new management team of Tom Devereux and Billy Kiernan have a great chance to hit the ground running – but they need to identify the right talent as soon as possible and develop a gameplan to best suit those players.
First up in the League is Donegal, who were relegated from Division 1 last season. A win there would set things up nicely for a run at promotion.
The championship was tough last year, and avoiding the relegation playoffs would be a good achievement.
Camogie?
It is difficult to make much of an assessment of where the Laois camogie teams stands.
The county has not been well treated in recent years, with strange decisions coming down from on high having a negative effect on Noel Brennan’s young team.
I’d be hoping for some stability in the League and a free shot at the Championship.
What young player are you most looking forward to seeing play?
Finn Culleton. There is a lot of buzz growing in Mountmellick about Finn Culleton, and I am very much on the bandwagon.
Finn is a serious player at both codes, playing a starting role for his club last year in both the IFC and IHC.
He co-captained Mountmellick Parish Gaels to their wonderful victory in the U-20 ‘B’ championship, showcasing his leadership capabilities as well.
Who do you think will win the Laois senior hurling and football championships in 2024?
It is always difficult to look beyond Camross. Arien Delaney has the experience at his presence could be enough to push the club to back-to-back titles.
The football is a lot more open. St Joseph’s will be hoping to push on from last year; Portarlington could bounce back or fall off – hard to tell; and both Portlaoise and Ballyroan-Abbey have a lot of talent at their disposal, making them real contenders.
Any of the other grades?
Crettyard were unlucky to come up against a wonderful Ballylinan side last year, but this time around I think they are favourites for the IFC.
The Harps were the surprise package in last year’s JFC and I think it will be between themselves and Kilcavan for the junior title in 2024.
In the hurling, surely Borris-Kilcotton will bounce straight back up from premier intermediate to senior.
What one thing would you like to see changed/introduced on the local sports scene in 2024?
A fully functioning, regularly updated website for Ladies football and camogie.
The Laois GAA website is a fabulous resource for media and supporters alike, allowing us to see match results, tables, and upcoming fixtures, with dates, times, venues and referees. It is arguably the best service our County Board provides. A female equivalent is now an absolute must.
There needs to be one dedicate home for all the information concerning all levels of both Ladies football and camogie, covering inter-county, club, juvenile, and school games. It is the easiest way to grow the reputation of both sports.
On a personal level, what would you like to see in 2024?
I would desperately love to see Mountmellick get their hands on some silverware. I really thought they were going to win the 2023 Intermediate Hurling Championship and I fully believe they have a great chance to do so this year.
There is also a good football team brewing under Colm Coss; I wonder would the Intermediate Football Championship be a possibility?
Further afield …
What sports event, anywhere in the world, would you most like to attend in 2024?
Without question, the final of the Euros. Euro 2020(1) was arguably the best tournament of my lifetime, both in terms of quality and drama. 2024 could be even better.
If the World Cup final 13 months ago was anything to go by, then the 75,000-seater Berlin Olympiastadion on Sunday, July 14 will be the place to be this year.
What Irish sports person would you most like to see achieve success?
Evan Ferguson. The goals have dried up for Evan, who was practically anonymous throughout November and December.
This might be no bad thing, as it could alleviate some of the astronomical pressure on the young man’s shoulders.
But if Ireland are going to have any chance of qualifying for tournaments, we need Evan to push on. Along with that, he seems like a genuinely nice lad, so for no other reason than that, I’d like to see him banging in goals for Brighton again.
Who’ll win Euro 2024?
France. They have all the ingredients to go and win this trophy: the magic of Mbappe; the youth coming through, such as Real Madrid duo, Tchouaméni and Camavinga; a great selection of goalkeepers, including Maignan and Areola; the experience of winning big tournaments; and the hurt they will still feel over losing the greatest World Cup final of all time.
Portugal are the only nation with a squad to match the French, and are destined for the final in my opinion.
And, of course, never count out Germany; they are hosting the tournament, and if they make it to a semi-final, anything is possible.
Champions League?
This is the most open Champions League I can remember – unfortunately that is because there are no outstanding teams in the field. Has there ever been a less exciting Last 16 draw?
Man City, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are the likely contenders, but I think Inter are in with great shout after losing the final last year.
Six Nations?
I see France doing the 6 Nations/Euros double unfortunately.
This tournament will be decided in the very first game – Ireland travel to Marseilles on Friday, February 2, and the winner of that will lift the trophy six weeks later.
If the Irish squad are anything like me, then they will still be grieving the World Cup. I cannot see any way they beat France in Marseilles under lights.
All Ireland hurling and football?
Limerick are a serious outfit and I can see them doing the five-in-a-row.
I’ll say Kerry for the football, but only because I can’t bear the thoughts of another Dublin victory.
Pauric Ramsbottom
Close to home …
How will the Laois footballers do in 2024?
After a disappointing 2023 Laois will be looking to bounce back and build for 2024. To begin with, promotion to Division 3 is a must and should be expected.
The Leinster championship will be tough but I believe Laois are more than capable of beating Offaly in Round 1 and should aim to keep with Dublin as best as they can but ultimately lose. The Tailteann Cup is hard to predict but I believe Laois should be aiming to win it.
And the hurlers?
After an unfortunate 2023, the hurlers were in my opinion fierce unlucky not to have won the competition out.
An opening round defeat to Offaly proved costly but after seeing some of the successful minors from 2021 transition to senior already is very impressive and shows that the future is bright. I think they’ll win the Joe McDonagh Cup.
Ladies football?
After a decent campaign in 2023, having secured senior status again for 2024 and losing the Division 2 league final I believe this year the ladies should try push on further.
I think they’ll win the Division 2 League final and aim to get a few wins in the Senior championship to preserve their status for another year.
Camogie?
It is hard to know where camogie is at in Laois as the club scene is strong which was exhibited by O’Moore’s reaching the Leinster Intermediate final.
Winning the Division 3A league would be a good start and would allow them to build for the future.
What young player are you most looking forward to seeing play?
Conor McDonald (Stradbally) is coming off the back of an unbelievable year as he was colossal at centre half back for SPG and was the joint captain of the minor champions.
A man with a brilliant attitude who conducts himself properly on and off the field – I’ve no doubt he’ll successfully make the transition to adult football and has a very bright career ahead of himself.
Who do you think will win the Laois senior hurling and football championships in 2024?
For football, I’m going with Ballyroan-Abbey. After winning three U-20s in a row and the appointment of the great Martin Murphy as manger, I think Ballyroan-Abbey should push on and aim to win senior this year.
It won’t be easy as St Joseph’s, Portlaoise etc are looking good but I think with the players they have they’re more than capable.
Clough-Ballacolla will look to bounce back after losing their three-in-a-row crown to Camross. They’ve an array of players and will look to be back on county final day this year.
Any of the other grades?
For Intermediate football, I’m going with Timahoe. After a disappointing Round 1 performance v Ballyroan-Abbey last year, and the main man Damien O’Connor out injured, things were looking bleak.
Thankfully it turned around though as they put in a great performance against Crettyard and were unfortunate to come out on the losing side. However, they went on to beat Arles-Kilcruise who were beaten finalists the year prior. Timahoe were crowned B Champions after receiving a walk over from Ballyroan-Abbey.
With an injection of young players on the way for the next couple of years and the return of Damien O’Connor, Timahoe will certainly be looking to make further progress this year.
Kilcavan or St Joseph’s are both teams that have a lot of young talented players coming through the ranks I believe it’s a two horse race between these two to see who will be crowned Junior Football champions for 2024
In Premier Intermediate hurling, I’m going for Borris-Kilcotton. After a shock relegation for them in 2023, promotion back to senior for 2024 should be their main target and will be expected by the club to achieve.
Ballinakill and Ballyfin will be their main competitors but I believe they’ll have enough to go back up to senior.
For Intermediate hurling I’m going with Park-Ratheniska/Timahoe. They are a club that is building nicely as they are consistently competing at finals in all grades.
I believe they’ll win Intermediate this year thanks to their big panel and number of talented young hurlers.
What one thing would you like to see changed/introduced on the local sports scene in 2024?
All matches up until the senior semi finals should be played outside of O’Moore Park and instead play them in club pitches such as Timahoe, Stradbally, Annanough, Crettyard, Ballyroan etc for better atmospheres at games.
On a personal level, what would you like to see in 2024?
After 10 years of being stuck in Intermediate, there’s nothing more I’d love to see than for my own club Timahoe to finally win the title.
Further afield …
What sports event, anywhere in the world, would you most like to attend in 2024?
The All Ireland Football Final.
What Irish sports person would you most like to see achieve success?
Evan Ferguson and Mary Mulhare.
Who’ll win Euro 2024?
France.
Champions League?
Manchester City.
Six Nations?
Ireland – After defeating the eventual world champions South Africa in the group stage and being agonisingly close to defeating New Zealand, Ireland are a force to be reckoned with and I think they’ll win the Six Nations
All Ireland hurling and football?
Derry weren’t far off in 2023 and with the appointment of Mickey Harte I believe they’ll go further this year and bring Sam home for the first time since 1993.
Limerick look unstoppable and I think it’ll stay that way for another year. Five-in-a-row is on the cards.
SEE ALSO – Sadness as former Laois school principal who later became a priest passes away
