Laois Senior Footballers Tailteann Cup Semi Final vs Down – Sunday 4pm in Croke Park.

Laois Manager Billy Sheehan names his side for the Tailteann Cup Semi-Final Vs Down this Sunday in Croke Park

In attendance during the Tailteann Cup Semi-Finals media event at Croke Park in Dublin are Robert Pigott of Laois, left, and Pierce Laverty of Down. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile

Laois will face Down on Sunday at 4pm in Croke Park, Dublin in the semi final of the 2023 Tailteann Cup.

Team news: Laois manager Billy Sheehan has named his team for the game this Sunday as follows:

One’s to watch: After a brilliant display in the important quarter final win over Limerick last Saturday, there are plenty of positives for this Laois side heading into Sunday. Portarlington’s Alex Mohan was very impressive in defence, having made his first start of the 2023 season against Limerick after coming in to replace the injured Trevor Collins. Another Portarlington clubman Colm Murphy, put in his best performance to date at senior county level which included him scoring that crucial goal and combined with Killeshin’s Killian Roche’s performance in goal who made magnificent saves to ensure Laois kept a clean sheet, were all vital in getting the win that now sends Laois to Croke Park on Sunday.

4 players earned their place on GAA.ie’s Tailteann Cup Team Of The Week this week: Killian Roche (Killeshin), Patrick O’Sullivan (Portarlington), Kieran Lillis (Portlaoise) and Mark Barry (O’Dempseys)

Previous meetings:

January 26th 2019: Allianz Football League Division 3 in Pairc Esler, Newry.

Laois – 2:15
Down – 1:12

This great win over Down more than 4 years ago, was also the same game that seen Portarlington’s Colm Murphy make his senior county debut, scoring 1-1. Crettyard’s Evan O’Carroll scored 0-8 on the day too.

June 12th 2021: Allianz Football League Division 2 in Pairc Esler, Newry.

Laois – 2:12
Down – 2:19

Despite defeat in this fixture, Laois put in a strong attacking performance with key scores provided on the day by Evan O’Carroll (1-0), Kieran Lillis (0-2), Colm Murphy and Eoin Lowry (0-1 each)

What’s Next:
The Semi Final stages of the 2023 Tailteann Cup are straight knock-out contests. A win for Laois will see them through to the final, which will be held in Croke Park again in 3 weeks time on Saturday July 15th against the winners of the other semi final fixture consisting of Meath vs Antrim, which takes place this Sunday at 2pm in Croke Park. If Laois and Down are level at the end of normal time, there will be extra time/penalties on the day to decide the winner. A loss for Laois will see them eliminated from the competition.

Tailteann Cup 2023:
The Tailteann Cup is the annual second tier All Ireland football championship competition contested by the 16 county teams who do not qualify for the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship with the winners of the 2023 Tailteann Cup going on to enter the 2024 All Ireland Senior Football Championship.

Previous Results:

Round 1 (May 13th) Laois: 1:14. Cavan: 2:20

Round 2 (May 20th) Laois: 1:11. Offaly: 1:11

Round 3 (June 3rd) Laois: 1:17. London: 2:14

Preliminary Quarter-Final (June 10th) Laois: 1:11. Fermanagh: 1:9

Quarter Final: (June 17th) Laois: 1:14. Limerick: 0:14

Upcoming Fixtures:

Final: July 15th in Croke Park.