1 – Laois man plays a part as Galway side St Thomas’s claim thrilling All Ireland club hurling title
Laois man Tommy Fitzgerald was a key member of the St Thomas’s backroom team as the Galway side claimed the All Ireland club hurling title in Croke Park last weekend in thrilling fashion.
Fitzgerald returned to a coaching role with the Galway side in November, having previously been with the club in 2021 and 2022 when they won county titles but had fallen short in All Ireland semi-finals in both season.
2 – Fr Paddy – The Last Priests of Ireland
“O’Hanlon presented an absorbing documentary recently about the decline and perhaps extinction of the Irish clergy,” Fr Paddy Byrne told us.
The show in question was ‘The Last Priests of Ireland‘, which aired on RTÉ 1.
3 – The Laois woman rubbing shoulders with global music stars in Los Angeles
As tour production co-ordinator for Aerosmith and Lionel Richie, Los Angeles-based Fiona Marie Booth is used to rubbing shoulders with celebrities.
The trailblazing Laois woman returned to LA after a Christmas break spent with family and is back organising the schedules of the stars.
4 – In Pictures: Colt-Shanahoe and Shanahoe ladies gather to celebrate 2024 championship successes
There was double the reason to celebrate last Saturday night as the Colt-Shanahoe hurlers and Shanahoe Ladies held a joint dinner dance.
The Manor Hotel in Abbeyleix was packed to capacity as members of both clubs turned up in huge numbers.
5 – Sadness in Stradbally following the passing of retired primary school teacher
There is sadness in Stradbally this week following the passing of Kathleen (Kay) Corcoran who previously worked as a primary school teacher.
Originally from Naas in Kildare, Kay came to Stradbally in the 1970s when she married her husband, the late Jim.
6 – In Pictures: Wonderful selection of images as Portlaoise Panto get the show on the road
It was all systems go in the Dunamaise Arts Centre last Saturday as the Portlaoise Panto group began their week-long series of performances after months of preparation.
The timeless classic ‘Cinderella’ is this year’s production and the brilliant local group have pulled out all the stops once again for another show-stopping performance.
7 – Introducing the new co-managers of Laois Senior Ladies football team
Introducing the newly appointed co-managers of the Laois Senior Ladies Football team, Kildare men Tommy Devereux and Billy Kiernan.
The pair were named as the new co-managers in October last year, and they say they have settled into the role nicely.
8 – Housing development in Portlaoise estate put out for re-tender by Laois County Council
Laois County Council staff have informed the Portlaoise Municipal District that the housing development in Radharc Darach, Hepburn Court will be put out for re-tender.
The issue was raised by Sinn Féin Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley, who requested an update on the current progress and cause of delays regarding the development
9 – Laois Camogie unveil new management team ahead of the 2024 season
The Laois camogie team will compete in Division 3 of the National League and Premier Junior in the All-Ireland championship in 2024.
And, ahead of those competitions, they have confirmed that they have a brand new management team in place.
10 – In Pictures: Hundreds brave the wild weather to take part in Great Heath Run
The Great Heath Run has had to endure tough weather conditions over the years – and they got another dog of a day last Sunday for the 2024 version.
But it didn’t deter hundreds of runners braving the wind and rain for the annual event which has become an established fundraiser for the club as well as an established event on the local running scene.
