Tailteann Cup Round 2 Preview: Laois v Wicklow

Tailteann Cup Round 2 Preview: Laois v Wicklow

Written by Laois PR Team

The Laois Senior Footballers face Wicklow in Round 2 of the Tailteann Cup away on Saturday May 17th at 6pm in Echelon Park in Aughrim.

Next Fixtures: Group Stages

Round 3: Weekend of May 31st/June 1st: Laois vs Offaly in a neutral venue. Details TBC.

Permutations: Tailteann Cup: The second-placed team in each group shall have home venue in the preliminary quarter-finals and will be joined there by only three of the best-placed third-placed teams. The fourth spot here will be taken by New York

Tickets for the Round 2 game 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/25EP1705

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 Justin McNulty has named the following side to face Wicklow:

Recent Laois Stats: (vs Waterford)

Courtesy of Eoin Culliton: @LeixGaelicStats on Twitter.

Mark Barry scored his 100th ever championship point against Waterford last week in what was his 26th appearance.

Mark Barry is the joint-second fastest to 100 cship points after Willie Brennan (23) and alongside Donie Kingston.

Mark Barry made his 80th overall appearance.

Kevin Swayne made his 20th SFC appearance.

Jack Lennon is the first Lennon to play senior championship football for Laois.

Sean O’Neill is the first O’Neill since Ned played in 1959. Sean O’Neill is the first The Rock GAA player to play championship football for Laois since Mark Dunne (2005, vs Armagh).

3+ championship debuts in three matches in a row for the first time in two years and only the second time since 1990.

Laois scored 10 times in a row vs Waterford.

It’s the first time that we have done that since scoring 12 times in a row vs Clare (2013).

We had two scoring subs – the 24th time we have had 2+ scoring subs in championship football.

11 different scorers. Equal to our previous best (vs Longford 2017).

Laois have now played 31 different counties in senior football championships.

The record in all first-time match-ups is:

P31 W14 D2 L15

1st senior championship starts vs Waterford:

Fionn Holland and Cathal Lee.

1st senior competitive appearance vs Waterford:

Michael Doran.

Recap Round 1: 

Laois: 0-28

Waterford: 1-16

Laois Scorers: Cathal Lee (one two-pointer, one free) 0-5, Mark Barry (one mark, one free) and Killian Roche (two frees, one two-point free) 0-4 each, Brian Byrne and Ronan Coffey (one free) 0-3 each, Niall Corbet and Michael Doran 0-2 each, Ben Dempsey, Damon Larkin, Kevin Swayne, Seamus Lacey and Shaun Fitzpatrick 0-1 each

Laois Subs: Michael Doran for Barry (HT), Sean O’Neill for Lacey (55), Shaun Fitzpatrick for Larkin (61), Jack Lennon for Jonah Kelly for Byrne (71)

Standout Players (Laois)

Fionn Holland: in his 1st senior championship start.

A rock in defence, Fionn Holland put in a composed and relentless performance. His well-timed tackles and interceptions broke down multiple Waterford attacks. He also contributed to Laois’s attacking play, moving forward and delivering accurate lateral kick passes. Holland was instrumental in the build-up to two key scores: he played a central role in setting up Cathal Lee’s point from a free and Ronan Coffey’s point from play—both in quick succession. His determination and motivation were evident throughout, and he maintained a high defensive work rate even as Laois took control in the second half.

Cathal Lee: in his 1st senior championship start.

An outstanding attacking presence, Cathal Lee was clinical from a free —scoring when he first stepped up. He also contributed from open play with a superbly curled two-pointer that soared between the posts. Lee nearly found the net as well, forcing a spectacular point-blank save from the Waterford keeper. His threat in front of goal continued, as he won a crucial free converted by Killian Roche in the first half. Cathal was consistently dangerous and central to Laois’s offensive momentum. With a goal effort again in the 2nd half, smashing the upright.

Michael Doran: In his 1st competitive senior appearance.

An incredible impact sub, Michael Doran made the most of his time on the pitch. With recent injuries affecting the Laois squad ahead of the Tailteann Cup campaign, Doran’s performance was a timely boost. He directly set up a point for Kevin Swayne, scored one himself, and then assisted Seamus Lacey for another—all from play.

In a dynamic late-game sequence, Doran and Lee combined with rapid hand passes to create a goal chance, with Lee narrowly denied by the upright. The duo capped off the game by exchanging well-taken points from play in the closing stages of the second half.

Wicklow:

Round 1:

Offaly: 2-13

Wicklow: 0-11

Standout Wicklow performers:

Tom Moran has emerged as a top-tier defender for Wicklow.

Serving as the team captain, Dean Healy brings a wealth of experience to Wicklow’s midfield and scored a point from play vs Offaly.

In attack: Kevin Quinn and Oisín McGraynor have been noted for their scoring contributions from open play.

Previous meeting result:

In the 2024 Tailteann Cup, Laois narrowly defeated Wicklow with a score of 0-11 to 0-10 in Round 2 of the group stage. The match took place on May 19, 2024, at Echelon Park in Aughrim.