There really is nothing like a county final and for this particular part of Laois, the people here are preparing for two.
That is because both Clough-Ballacolla hurling and camogie teams have reached their respective county finals this weekend.
The camogie team are out first as they are set to face Abbeyleix in the Laois Junior final in Rathdowney on Saturday at 1pm.
Clough-Ballacolla’s team were only established in 2020 and won the Junior B final last year.
Their upward trajectory has continued at they won the Junior A League earlier this year and will move up to top grade of camogie in Laois next year if they win.
And then on Sunday, the Clough-Ballacolla hurlers are attempting to retain the Bob O’Keeffe Cup.
The rural club is going for its fifth Laois SHC title in the last six years which is simply remarkable.
We took a trip over yesterday and began in Clough NS where we were greeted by principal Martin Carroll.
We were treated to a song to the tune of the ‘Wild Rover’ while Laois GDO Jordan Walshe, who will be lining out for Clough-Ballacolla on Sunday, was also present as he put the children through their paces.
After that, we headed across to Happy Days pre-school where Catherine Fitzpatrick, Paula Fitzpatrick and Helen Coonan were keeping all the boys and girls entertained.
It is a very busy time for Helen who is set to line out at full back for Clough-Ballacolla on Saturday.
After that, we headed back up the road to St Pius X Ballacolla NS where principal Mark Delaney, who started in the role in September, welcomed us in.
The blue and yellow flew proudly around the school and the students were all decked out in it too.
Check out some pictures from our visit below:
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