Latest news with #PodgeDelaney
Irish Independent
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
‘We feel like we let the fans down' – Laois star Podge Delaney hoping to restore some pride in the jersey after tough week
It might seem like an impossible task but Laois centre-back Podge Delaney is ready to bunker down and fight the good fight.
The Irish Sun
12-06-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Podge Delaney urges Laois to bounce back from Croke Park heartbreak ahead of Tipperary clash
DESPITE suffering Croke Park heartbreak for the second year on the spin, Podge Delaney is keen for Laois to make the most of their chance to prove that they are no average Joes. Last Advertisement 2 Podge Delaney urged Laois to bounce back after their Joe McDonagh Cup heartbreak 2 Tipperary play Laois this weekend in the All-Ireland SHC preliminary quarter-finals But the 2025 campaign is not yet over for Tommy Fitzgerald's side, who face As Laois discovered in their defeat to Wexford at the same stage last year, regrouping to take on top-tier opposition so soon after failing to achieve the ultimate objective is a tall order. Experienced defender Delaney said: "It can be tricky. It's a quick turn-around, especially after losing. It can be a lot easier after a win and you have momentum behind you. "But at the end of the day, it's a Championship game and you're putting on the Laois jersey. Advertisement READ MORE ON GAA "You want to do yourself proud as well. We don't get too many years to do it so it's another Championship game where we'd like to put in a good performance." As the only Joe McDonagh team to have won a game in the Liam MacCarthy Cup since the competitions were linked, Laois remain the benchmark when it comes to mixing it with the big boys. Delaney was a member of the side who stunned Dublin in 2019, before going on to be beaten by eventual champions Tipp when an All-Ireland semi-final spot was up for grabs. While riding the crest of a wave, respectable performances were also produced by recent McDonagh winners such as Antrim, Carlow and Offaly. Advertisement Most read in GAA Hurling Comment Comment However, as evidenced by an average losing margin of 24 points, it has proven more difficult for the beaten finalists to get back on the horse. Still, Delaney said: "It's nice to get the opportunity to play the top teams as well. Back in 2019 we beat Dublin, so there's scope there to win games and have a real cut off bigger teams. GAA fans 'loved seeing and hearing' the late Micheal O Muircheartaigh as he features in RTE documentary Hell for Leather 'It's definitely a lot easier when you win the final but we'll pick ourselves back up again and go again on Saturday.' Although the teams were level at half-time, Laois were left to rue their first-half wides tally of 11 against Kildare as they sought to atone for losing last year's final to Offaly. Advertisement Things were looking good nonetheless as Paddy Purcell netted to give them a 1-11 to 0-11 just seconds after the restart. However, they were outscored by 2-15 to 0-8 thereafter as the Lilywhites sealed a ten-point triumph. Delaney reflected: "I think in the second half we kind of just fell away from the game. I don't know what it was. Even at half-time and after we got the goal, I thought we had scope to push on. But we just kind of fell away. "Kildare are obviously a savage team as well with savage, fit players, unbelievable hurlers as well. They got on top of us in the second half and we couldn't claw it back." Prior to this season, Kildare had never won a game at that level. Laois, who competed in the Leinster SHC as recently as 2022, were favourites to seal their return. Advertisement Delaney added: 'They had a bit of freedom. I suppose we gave them a bit too much freedom on the field as well. But look, they're a great team. 'What they're after doing in the last year is brilliant. I'm working up in Kildare so I can see first-hand the work that's going into hurling up there. It's brilliant to see it." Laois will have home advantage on Saturday for a meeting with a Tipperary team they encounter regularly in challenge matches. Delaney said: "We've played them nearly every year for the last few years. We know they're a savage outfit. Advertisement 'We'll just be hoping we can put in a good performance to give the fans that were up in Dublin the other day something to cheer about, because we feel like we kind of let them down."
Irish Daily Mirror
08-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Kildare v Laois LIVE score updates from the final of the Joe McDonagh Cup
It's a huge day for Kildare hurling as they take on Laois in the final of the Joe McDonagh Cup. A win for the Lilywhites would earn them a place in the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship for the first time since 2004. Their appearance in the final didn't look likely when losing to Kerry on the opening day, but they have won four from four since to book their place in the decider. That run of four consecutive victories included a shock 11-point win over Laois in the penultimate round of action. Laois are the slight favourites though, with experience of these occasions on their side, and having snatched a draw in Carlow to make the final. The match is scheduled for a 1.45pm throw-in at Croke Park, and you can follow all the action right here on Irish Mirror Sport. Laois last won the Joe McDonagh Cup in 2019 and were beaten finalists by Offaly twelve months ago. But the county made this year's final by the skin of their teeth. Ahead of their final group match against Carlow, they knew they only needed a draw to make the decider. All seemed to be lost, though, when, deep into additional time at Netwatch Cullen Park, they trailed by three points. They were awarded a 65, though, that was fired towards goal by Podge Delaney and ended up finding the back of the net via James Duggan and Mark Dowling. That was enough to send Laois through to the final, where Kildare now stand in their way of lifting the Joe McDonagh Cup.
