Preview: Laois v Westmeath (Joe McDonagh Cup Round 1)
Written by Laois PR Team
The Laois senior hurlers will play Westmeath in the Round 1 game of the Joe McDonagh Cup at home on Saturday April 19th, with throw in at 3pm in Laois Hire O’Moore Park.
Tickets can be purchased both online and in person using the following options below.
Tickets can be purchased online here: https://am.ticketmaster.com/gaa/buy/25OM1904?fbclid=IwY2xjawJvEIpleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHhmkDCaIJL48lFe7P1ePBJaoHnlOHNZ1GrLWK96nxmVOi2KqPmbLRFq38dnh_aem_6arQ9-b85s37CKuKqJijxw
**Please note that juvenile u16 tickets cost 5 euro and must be purchased alongside an adult ticket for entry.**
Tickets can be purchased in person via selected participating SuperValu stores:
SuperValu Stradbally
Breslin’s SuperValu Rathdowney
McConville’s SuperValu Mountmellick
McLoughlin’s SuperValu Portarlington
Mulhall’s SuperValu Portlaoise
SuperValu Abbeyleix
SuperValu Parkside Portlaoise.
Follow live match scores and updates on our official CLG Laois Twitter account: @CLGLaois.
Manager Tommy Fitzgerald has named the following side to face Westmeath:
Laois Stats (from the previous league meeting vs Westmeath in Div.1B on February 16th 2025:
The game v Westmeath was Paddy Purcell’s 125th senior appearance for Laois hurlers – 65 NHL, 47 SHC and 13 Walsh Cup. He is just the fifth Laois hurler to reach this mark after Whelan (162), Tommy Fitz (139), Joe Fitz (130) & PJ Cuddy (127).
Both Fiachra C Fennell and John Lennon hit 50 league & championship appearances vs Westmeath. They are the 77th & 78th Laois senior hurlers to reach this mark.
League Meeting Recap:
Laois: 4-18
Westmeath: 1-19
Laois: PJ Scully 2-2 (0-2 frees), Aaron Dunphy 0-5 (frees), Jer Quinlan 1-1, Mark Dowling 1-0, Jordan Walshe, Aidan Corby, Paddy Purcell and Willie Dunphy 0-2 each, David Dooley and Tomas Keyes 0-1 each
Westmeath: David Williams 0-8 (seven frees), Mark Cunningham 0-3, Niall O’Brien 1-0, Peter Clarke and Darragh Clinton 0-2 each, Eoin Keyes, Eamon Cunneen, Robbie Greville and Shane Williams 0-1 each
Standout Players Laois:
PJ Scully produced his finest performance for Laois in 2025 that say. With a score of (2-2), 2 superb goals scored from play and 2 points brilliantly struck from frees.
Paddy Purcell was voted by the public as the winner for: GAA.ie’s hurling player of the week for the week of February 18th : plus he was named in midfield on gaa.ie’s hurling team of the week. Purcell displayed an incredible amount of work rate in the middle of the field, winning possession and frees, beating markers and scored a fantastic 2 points from play.
Jordan Walshe continues to be in top form in defence at left half back. Alongside being solid defensively, Walshe also again displayed his attacking ability to win high balls and strike scores from long range (0-2 from play).
Goalkeeper Cathal Dunne started in goal for the first time that day, since the game vs Kerry last year in the Joe McDonagh Cup on May 4th 2024. Dunne was highly impressive vs Westmeath with some incredible and important saves to prevent goals. Named in goal on gaa.ie’s hurling team of the week.
Westmeath:
Defence: The experienced stalwart and extremely talented full back Tommy Doyle, has been named to start vs Laois. He produced some super solid defensive perfomances, in the most recent league campaign when he came on.
Up front: Matthew Cunningham works hard with good ball carrying ability, physical strength and pace, to brilliantly set up his teammates with scores.
The return of Killian Doyle has been a huge boost that strengthed the Westmeath attack tremendously. Killian Doyle scored 1-15 in just the 1 game alone: in the great final round win vs Carlow and has a total league score of 1-40. (1-26 from frees, three 65’s.)
David Williams is also a really vital forward for Westmeath with a total league score of: 2-35 (2-10 from play, 24 frees, one 65).
Both teams are on level par with each other and at a similar level competitively, as they were both relegated to Div.2 for 2026. Both teams are looking to bounce back from disappointing league campaigns with a positive start to the championship which will make for a close and exciting encounter. Winning Round 1 puts the winning team on the front foot going forward.
Previous Championship Meeting:
Joe McDonagh Cup Round 5:
May 25th 2024 in Cusack Park, Mullingar.
Westmeath: 2-26
Laois: 0-16
By Laois PRO Fri 18th Apr
