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The Week that Was: Our most read stories of the past seven days

1 – Laois woman stars on latest episode of hit Channel 4 dating show ‘Naked Attraction’

A Laois woman starred on the most recent episode of the new season of the hit Channel 4 dating show ‘Naked Attraction’.

The unconventional TV programme is hugely popular in the UK and Mountmellick native Amy featured in the latest episode of season 8.

The reason the show is so unusual is because it essentially takes the process of finding love and turns it on its head.

2 – Star of The Chase reveals Laois heritage in spin-off version of popular TV show

Anne Hegerty gave an insight into her family links with Laois during an episode of ‘Beat The Chasers’ on Virgin Media One recently.

‘The Governess’, as she’s known on the popular show The Chase, made the revelation when explaining the answer to a question on mythical creatures.

3 – Sadness as ‘proud Laois GAA supporter’ and ‘dedicated club man’ passes away

Going to matches in O’Moore Park won’t be the same for many people with the news of the sad death of Joe Dooley from Borris-in-Ossory.

Joe was a long-time steward at the grounds and for many years was the man on the gate that let players, officials and media into the ground.

He had a word for everyone and a good-humoured way about him that welcomed those he met on match days.

4 – ‘I understood the rule that when you finished minor and moved into next year you could play senior’

Laois senior hurling manager Cheddar Plunkett was not pleased about the rule which denied David Dooley the chance to make his debut last year.

5 – Laois expat commended for fantastic deed by Vicky Phelan

Laois man Joe O’Donnell has been commended for doing a fantastic deed for Vicky Phelan by the woman herself.

Joe has been living in San Diego, California where he is the COO of Urban Plates.

He contacted Vicky to offer meals to the hard working staff helping Vicky while she undergoes treatment in the states.

6 – Second Laois GAA County Board draw held as over €31,000 in prize money given out once again

A total of 23 clubs had winners in the second monthly Laois GAA €130 county board ticket draw held last night.

The draw was streamed live on Facebook by Laois GAA, with two members of An Garda Siochana acting as the independent observers.

Tom and Breda Kelly of Stradbally scooped the top prize of €10,000 while there were a total of 23 clubs represented among the 35 winners in all – with Ballyroan-Abbey having five winners.

7 – How the Laois football team is shaping up ahead of the 2021 league campaign

This Sunday the Laois footballers will belatedly begin their 2021 season with a trip to Ennis to take on Clare in the opening round of the National Football League.

And we took a look at how the panel is shaping up ahead of the new season.

8 – Your comprehensive guide to the Laois GAA fixture plan for 2021 and to complete 2020

The first adult club games in Laois since last October will take place in just under a months time.

In correspondence sent to clubs last week, Laois GAA have finalised their structures for league and championship at adult level for the coming year.

9 – National Broadband Ireland – The situation in Laois in year two of the seven year project

Broadband – Unless you live in an urban part of Laois, it is definitely something that has caused you to throw out an expletive or two about.

Download and upload speeds across much of the county are extremely slow and when the pandemic struck last year and the majority of us were sent home to work and be educated – just how bad the problem really is was highlighted.

National Broadband Ireland met with Laois County Councillors last week and outlined their progress in Laois.

10 – #LoveLaois: Lovely Vicarstown – walking routes, bike hire and a Blueway route that is going to explode in popularity

On the face of it, the small village of Vicarstown is like so many other Irish rural areas that has lost services over the years.

There’s no school, no shop and for the past number of years only one of the two pubs has been open.

But it remains one of the most scenic spots in the county and its popularity is set to explode in the coming years as it finds itself at the centre of the new Barrow Blueway route, a 46km upgraded towpath that will connect Athy to Monasterevin along the banks of the Grand Canal.