Successful Laois GAA “Kirby Group” Golf Classic Raises Vital Support

The 2026 Laois GAA “Kirby Group” Golf Classic proved to be another outstanding success at Portarlington Golf Club on Friday, 3 July.

The annual event brought together GAA clubs, local businesses, public representatives, community organisations and supporters from across Laois and further afield for a hugely enjoyable day of golf, while also raising vital funds for the continued development of Laois teams, players and facilities.

Laois GAA extends its sincere appreciation to main sponsor Kirby Engineering & Construction, whose continued support has helped establish the Golf Classic as one of the most important events in the Laois GAA fundraising calendar.

A special thank you is extended to Mikey Ryan and the entire Kirby Engineering & Construction team for their ongoing generosity and commitment to Laois GAA.

P & J Security Take First Prize

The competition at the top of the leaderboard could hardly have been closer, with the destination of the first prize decided on countback after two teams finished with 102 points.

P & J Security, claimed the overall prize. The winning team was made up of Joseph Byrne, Dermot Murphy, Colin Murphy and Ciran Murphy.

They recorded an excellent total of 102 points, taking victory on countback with 36 points on the Back 9 (6).

Fitzfire, also finished on 102 points. Their team of Pat Farrell, Cathal Farrell, Patrick Conroy and Ken Farrell secured second place, recording 33 points on the Back 9 (6) countback.

Laois GAA Golf Classic 2026 Results

1st Prize: P & J Security,
Joseph Byrne, Dermot Murphy, Colin Murphy and Ciran Murphy
102 points, winners on countback, Back 9 (6), 36 points

2nd Prize: Fitzfire,
Pat Farrell, Cathal Farrell, Patrick Conroy and Ken Farrell
102 points, Back 9 (6), 33 points

3rd Prize: Aidan Colgan Sports
Aidan Colgan, PJ Butler, Brian Byrne and Aidan O’Connell
101 points

4th Prize: Central Hygiene,
Colin Self, Bridie Fennelly, Anthony Collins and Violet Callaghan
100 points, decided on the Back 9

Non-GUI Prize

The Non-GUI prize was won by Joe Mallon Motors, whose team of Brian Curran, David Mooney, Mark Kavanagh and Anthony Mallon produced the highest score of the day with an impressive 105 points.

Raffle Winners

Congratulations also to the three raffle winners:

MW Hire, Strong Precast and Joe Mallon Motors.

More Than 50 Teams Support Laois GAA

The scale of the support for the Golf Classic was reflected in a start sheet containing more than 50 team entries from early morning until late in the evening.

Those who participated included:

MW Hire; Coppers Bar & Nightclub, Dave Power; Graiguecullen GAA; Borris-in-Ossory/Kilcotton GAA; P & J Security Services Ltd, Kieran Leavy; Portarlington GAA; Central Hygiene, Martin Connolly; Rosenallis GAA; The Harps GAA; Slieve Bloom GAA; Welcome Inn; John Sisk; Laois LGFA; Leinster Council GAA; Laois Today; Martin Byrne Accountant; Des Conroy Park/Ratheniska GAA; Liam Wynne, Errill; Mulhall’s SuperValu; Stradbally GAA; Annanough GAA; Strong Precast; Portlaoise Parish Centre; Future Ticketing; Timahoe GAA and Pat O’Brien.

The afternoon participants included:

LMSQ Chartered Accountants; Councillor Paschal McEvoy; Copper Face Jacks, Cathal Jackson; Tom Clear; MJ Turley & Associates; PJ Rafter, Rathdowney; Conack Construction; Booth Concrete, Pat Booth; The Heath GAA, Pat Booth; Finline Furniture; THM Civils, Damien Lennon; Joe Mallon Motors; Euro Plan; Fitzfire, Tommy Fitzpatrick; Noel Delaney ND Audit & Advisory; The Square Bar, Michael Scully; Irish Mortgage Corporation; Councillor Elva Kelly; Barry Fitzgerald Solicitor; Portlaoise GAA; Springhill Properties, Laurence Phelan; Ballinakill GAA; Mick Lawlor; Bosco’s Catering; Aidan Colgan, Colgan Sports; Laois Shopping Centre; Kirby Group and CIA Catering Equipment.

The wide-ranging entry demonstrated the strength of the relationship between Laois GAA, its clubs, the local business community and supporters throughout the county.

Green and Tee Box Sponsorship

The success of the Golf Classic would not have been possible without the exceptional backing received through green and tee box sponsorship.

Laois GAA sincerely thanks:

Alison Holmes; Anthony Darcy Sand; Anvil Inn Portarlington; Arles-Kilcruise GAA; Arles Killeen GAA; Aron Browne Awards; Ballyfin GAA; Ballylinan GAA; Ballypickas GAA; Ballyroan Abbey GAA; Banagher Concrete; Barrowhouse GAA; Bourké Sports; Brady Signs; Broderick Electrical; Browne’s Animal Feeds; Camross GAA; Castletown GAA; Clonad GAA and Clough-Ballacolla GAA.

Further sponsors included:

Clubber TV; Colm McEvoy Pitch Maintenance; Colt GAA; Courtwood GAA; Crescent Physical Therapy, Johnny Lawlor; Crettyard GAA; Cuddy Hurleys, Martin Cuddy; Cuddy Rehabilitation & Sports Clinic, Ciara Cuddy; Sean Connolly Dairy Products; Shanahoe GAA; Slieve Bloom Buses; Spink GAA; Sports Direct; Sportsworld Netting Ltd; St Fintan’s Mountrath GAA; St Lazerian’s Abbeyleix GAA; Stradbally Plant Hire; Willie Ramsbottom; Winroy Ltd and O’Sullivan Video Analysis.

The green and tee box sponsorship was also supported by:

DBA; Declan Hughes External Wall Insulation; DS Sports; Dunkeen Oil; Emerald Pitch Development; Emo GAA; Affidea Ltd; Enda Norton Plumbing; Errill GAA; Fergal Byron, Courtwood; Gaelic Players Association, GPA; Hanley Meals; Hume Auctioneers, John Dunne; Irish Turfcare; Kilcavan GAA; Killeshin GAA; Kylebrook Residents Association; Laois Camogie; Laois Hire and Mark Carroll Electrical.

Additional sponsors were:

MGM Partnership; Mountmellick GAA; Nelligan Sports; O’Dempsey’s GAA; O’Neills; PP Ryan Solicitors Rathdowney; Punchestown Racecourse; Rachel Walsh; Ramsbottoms Sports Bar Portlaoise, Jack Wallace; Rathdowney GAA; Roscrea Diesel Injection, Tony Ryan; Seamus Byrne Electrical; Stradbally Town & Country; Templetuohy Farm Machinery Emo; Kyle GAA; The Office Centre; The Rock GAA; Tony Bambrick; Trumera GAA; Tullys Travel and Clonaslee St Manman’s GAA.

A Countywide Effort

The 2026 Golf Classic once again demonstrated what can be achieved when Laois clubs, businesses, supporters and community organisations work together.

Every team entry, green sponsorship, tee box sponsorship and raffle contribution played an important part in making the event a success. The funds generated will assist Laois GAA in supporting its teams, developing its players and improving the structures and facilities required to help Gaelic games progress throughout the county.

Laois GAA also extends its gratitude to Portarlington Golf Club for hosting the event and to all those who helped organise and run the Golf Classic throughout the day.

Finally, thank you to every golfer who took part, every company and club that provided sponsorship, and everyone who supported the event in any capacity.

Your continued backing of Laois GAA is greatly appreciated.