O'Moore County had it all to play for against Dubs
- Mar 29,2012
Naomh Mearnóg GAA club in Portmarnock on Sunday will host Dublin's concluding game in division one of the Bord Gáis Energy Ladies NFL, Dublin's opponents will be the Ladies from the O'Moore County, Laois.
Dubliners have been flocking all week to the sea side town of Portmarnock, hitting the sandy coastline to enthusiastically enjoy the mini heat wave that has hit the capital over the last few days.
With any luck the fine weather will continue into the weekend hopefully encouraging Dublin fans to make the journey to Portmarnock to cheer on the girls in blue in what should be a keenly contested game of football.
Dublin and Laois have enjoyed a keen rivalry over the years more so in championship than league.
The last time these two Leinster rivals meet in the league was on the 11th of April 2010, on that occasion Laois sent Dublin packing into division two following an injury time Mary Kirwan goal. (Final score Laois 2-10 Dublin 2-08).
Later that summer Dublin enacted revenge on the O'Moore County not once but twice, first up in the Leinster final (2-13 to 0-09) and later on in the All-Ireland semi-final (1-08 to 0-09), Dublin going on to lift the Brendan Martin cup that, September.
Former Laois senior star Joe Higgins, took over from Brendan Hadden as the Laois manager back in 2010 since then he has guided his chargers to a NFL final coupled with a Leinster senior crown.
Laois this season have enjoyed league victories over Kildare, Donegal and Tyrone at the same time experiencing defeats at the hands of Meath, Cork and Monaghan.
While Dublin have the security of having already qualified for the 2012 semi-finals ahead of Sunday's clash, Laois have to bag the full three points in order to secure their place in the knock out stages.
Laois currently have nine league points with Meath two points astray in the division one table on seven. Should Meath defeat Donegal on Sunday and Laois lose to Dublin the Royal County will secure a place in the NFL semi-final for the first time since 2006.
Laois simply have to win on Sunday to stay in the competition, while Dublin will want to bounce back quickly from their sixth round defeat to Monaghan and get back to winning ways.
Mary Kirwan and Tracey Lawlor are key players for Joe Higgins team, both ladies possess a vast amount of experience how Dublin curtail the influence of Kirwan and Lawlor will have a huge impact on Sundays result.
Peter Clarke will announce the Dublin team to play Laois tomorrow evening.
Throw in on Sunday is 2pm..
