National Football League Division 4 Round 3 – Laois v Carlow
In O’Moore Park at 6pm
Team news?
Laois senior football manager Justin McNulty has named the same starting 15 as for the clash with Carlow as the one that defeated Longford and Wexford.
That is good news for Damon Larkin who was forced off against Wexford through injury but appears to have recovered to partner Conor Heffernan in midfield.
However, he has made three alteration to his bench with three players coming in.
Portlaoise’s Conor Brown replaces St Joseph’s Aaron Cooney in the sub keeper spot.
Killeshin’s Eoin Lowry comes in for Stradbally’s Liam Knowles and for the first time, Kieran Lillis is back.
The Portlaoise man replaces St Joseph’s Cormac Murphy on the bench and will be in line for an appearance.
LAOIS: Killian Roche (Killeshin); Ben Dempsey (Portlaoise), Seamus Lacey (Ballylinan), James Kelly (St Joseph’s); Eoin Buggie (Stradbally), Mark Timmons (Graiguecullen), Brian Byrne (Graiguecullen); Conor Heffernan (Killeshin), Damon Larkin (Portlaoise); Kevin Swayne (Portlaoise), Niall Dunne (Courtwood), Shaun Fitzpatrick (Ballyroan-Abbey); Mark Barry (O’Dempsey’s), Evan O’Carroll (Crettyard), Niall Corbet (Clonaslee-St Manman’s)
SUBS: Conor Brown (Portlaoise), Ciaran Burke (Crettyard), Brian Daly (St Joseph’s), Mikie Dempsey (St Joseph’s), Simon Fingleton (Park-Ratheniska), Paul Kingston (Arles-Killeen), Kieran Lillis (Portlaoise), Eoin Lowry (Killeshin), Rioghan Murphy (Portarlington), Sean O’Flynn (Courtwood), Danny O’Reilly (Graiguecullen)
Meanwhile, Carlow manager Niall Carew has also named his starting 15 for the game.
And like Laois, it is unchanged for the last day when they defeated Waterford.
CARLOW: Ciaran Cunningham (Bagenalstown Gaels); Colin Byrne (Rathvilly), Mark Furey (Éire Óg), Dara Curran (Rathvilly); Mikey Bambrick (Old Leighlin), Conor Doyle (Rathvilly), Jamie Clarke (Bagenalstown Gaels); John Phiri (Asca), Niall Hickey (Kildavin/Clonegal); Colm Hulton (Éire Óg), Jordan Morrissey (Éire Óg), Conor Crowley (Palatin); Ross Dunphy (Éire Óg), Darragh Foley (Kilbride), Aaron Amond (Old Leighlin)
What has Carlow’s form been like?
Wexford’s early season form saw them lose to both Kildare and Wicklow in the O’Byrne Cup.
But their Division 4 campaign has been much better as they scored three goals away in their opening victory against Tipperary.
They followed that with a fairly routine win over Waterford in their last match.
They progressed to the quarter finals of the Tailteann Cup last season where they were beaten by Antrim.
Laois’s hodoo over Carlow
This is a fixture that Laois have completely dominated in league and championship level for almost 40 years.
Aside from an O’Byrne Cup defeat in 2003, you have to go all the way back to a Leinster championship match in 1988 for Carlow’s last win.
An even that was rare as the one before that came back in 1961.
Laois historian Eoin Culliton will have to tell us how many games in a row Laois have now won – but we will be hoping that run continues!
What Carlow players should we watch out for?
Teenage sensation John Phiri was in midfield for Knockbeg College this year and has been selected there for Carlow tonight.
He is a serious athlete and a has an incredible leap which makes him a proper option for kick outs.
In attack, Ross Dunphy, Darragh Foley and Conor Crowley are dangerous while Jordan Morrissey at centre forward is a class act.
What are the odds?
Laois are firm favourites at 1/4 while Carlow are outside at 9/2. The draw is 10/1.
Who is reffing it?
Anthony Nolan from Wicklow has been selected to be the man in the middle for this game.
He has officiated games involving Laois on numerous occasions in recent years.
Tickets? TV?
The game is not available to watch on TV but we will keep you updated on our Live Blog.
Tickets can be purchased both online and in person using the following: Online by clicking here.
SEE ALSO – 28 transfers approved by Laois GAA ahead of the 2024 club season
