Former Laois footballer John O’Loughlin, pictured today for AIB ahead of Tailteann Cup final between Down and Laois this Saturday, July 13th. AIB have also today announced the return of the Volunteer VIP competition which gives GAA volunteers the opportunity to win a money can’t buy behind the scenes tour of Croke Park, on the morning of the GAA All-Ireland Senior Football final as well as tickets to the match. Details on how to enter the Volunteer VIP competition will be announced on Monday, July 15th. For exclusive content and behind the scenes action from the GAA All-Ireland Senior Football Championships follow @AIB_GAA on X and Instagram and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AIBGAA. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
By Cian O’Connell
Momentum has been generated with hope and confidence restored to Laois football.
Aided by Justin McNulty’s shrewd guidance, Laois have won the Allianz Football League Division Four title and contest Saturday’s Tailteann Cup decider against Down at Croke Park.
Former Laois player John O’Loughlin served the blue and white cause with distinction for more than a decade and senses the possibilities that exist. “Absolutely,” O’Loughlin responds instantly.
“A national final in July in Croke Park it is where counties want to be. It has been a brilliant year. Getting back up to Division Three was huge. Now, I think the ceiling isn't Division Three, it is a stepping stone, a milestone, a building block for future development, and more good days for Laois.”
Significant time and effort has been invested in recent years. “Laois were in the Leinster U20 finals in 2019 and 2020, you have a few players from those teams, who will be playing on Saturday,” O’Loughlin says.
“You need a lot of things coming together, Laois are putting the work in, no more than any other county. It is good to see some of the fruits of that now, but they continue to work hard.
“You can't just rest on your laurels, you have to keep working hard. Saturday has to be a stepping stone for future things.”
Laois senior football team manager Justin McNulty. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
How important is the exposure to these type of games and occasions for the development of Gaelic Football in Laois? “It is huge,” O’Loughlin replies.
“Young children watching the match at the weekend, it could be Sam Maguire for a lot of those children. It is just inspiring boys and girls for future generations, it makes them want to walk around Portlaoise, Abbeyleix, Mountmellick - whatever towns - in the Laois jerseys or walk down the streets with a football or a hurl in their hand.
“The more children you have doing that, the more buzz, the more atmosphere, the more flags you see, all those things add to it.
“Your senior team is your flagship team, if the young people see your senior team doing well, they want to emulate those boys, girls, want to play in Croke Park like their heroes. It is really, really important and big for Laois.”
In 2008 O’Loughlin made his Laois debut and featured at senior inter-county level until two years ago. “I can't say I've overly missed it, I did my time,” O’Loughlin reflects.
“Sport is all about the here and now. At this moment I'm not playing for Laois, but I've other things in my life. I still play club hurling and football, we had a child a few weeks ago, we got married, built a house.
“Life moves on. When you're in it, I was absolutely in it, I gave it my all. I'm not in it anymore, just rocking on and rolling on with life.”
