Preview: Laois v Antrim (Div.1B Hurling)

Written by Laois PR Team

The Laois senior hurlers will play Antrim in the Round 6 game of Div.1B away on Sunday March 9th with throw in at 1pm in Corrigan 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/25MU0903

**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 Antrim:

Latest Laois Stats:

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.

Refixed Round 1 Game 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):

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. Similarly to his great perfomance vs Waterford last week, for the 2nd week in a row: 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.

Since his return to inter county hurling in 2025 and his 3rd league start in a row: 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 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.

The other following players made GAA.ie’s team of the week as a result of their strong performances: Fiachra C.Fennell and Lee Cleere in defence, David Dooley (0-1) and Jer Quinlan (1-1) in attack.

DIV.1B Table Currently:

Antrim:

Previous results:

Round 1:

Dublin: 1-24

Antrim: 0-14

Round 2

Antrim: 2-25

Westmeath: 1-19

Round 3

Offaly: 2-26

Antrim: 0-17

Round 4

Antrim: 0-11

Waterford: 2-23

Round 5

Carlow: 1-21

Antrim: 2-18

Goalkeeper Ryan Elliot has been consistently accurate with his puckouts, plus his long balls lead to his side getting points and goal chances. Full back Paddy Burke has been solid defensively. Centre half forward Keelan Molloy has a total 0-8 so far but his biggest strength is his involvement in his teammates scores (goals) and Molloy had goal chances himself. Full forward and talisman James McNaughton has a massive total score so far of 1-47 (39 frees).