Laois Hockey Club was founded in 2023 as an amalgamation of Portlaoise Ladies Hockey Club (Senior Ladies Teams) and Abbeyleix Hockey Club (Junior Teams)

Portlaoise Ladies Hockey Club (PLHC)

PLHC was first established in 1924 and was originally based at the rugby club in Portlaoise. In more recent years in order to compete with other clubs on the all weather Astro surfaces, training has moved to Fr Breen Park in Abbeyleix, with home matches played in Loreto School in Kilkenny City.

Having previously competed for a long number of years in the South East Leinster Hockey league and cups, the club transferred to the Leinster League in the 2014/2015 season into Division 13. The club made steady progress since joining the Leinster League. The Senior Ladies 1s will compete in Division 6 in the upcoming 2023/2024 season, having finished the 2022/2023 season by finishing at the top in Division 7.

A Senior Ladies 2s team was formed in the 2022/2023 season and will complete in Division 11 in the 2023/2024 season.

Abbeyleix Hockey Club (AHC)

Club was founded in October 2005 when a group of around a dozen started playing on the newly constructed 7-a-side Astroturf pitch in Fr Breen Park -  where we continue to play, also using tennis courts, courtesy of Abbeyleix Tennis Club. 

Players range in age from 6-16. The success of the Irish ladies hockey team over the last number of years has seen a surge in interest in the sport across the country and Club membership increasing year by year. The Club provides a safe and fun environment for young people of all capabilities to participate in, and enjoy, a team sport.  
Club colours are red tops and hoodies, black shorts, black and red hooped socks. 

Training takes place on Sunday mornings, at 9.30am, during the season, which runs from September until Easter. 
At present, the club has 7 teams.  
At Under 8 and Under 10 and Under 12, boys and girls generally train together and play on the same team.  

Club also has an Under 10 and Under 12 boys teams, who recently played in a boys only blitz.  
Given the importance of keeping teenage girls active and playing sport, Club is delighted to have both Under 14 and Under 16s girls teams.

Daniel Brain, who played with the club for a number of years and who continues to be involved with coaching and reffing, has been picked for the Leinster Under 17 development squad who will play an international tournament in The Netherlands over Easter.  

Rachel Fitzpatrick started hockey with the Club at Under 8 and has been with the Club since. She recently helped the Under 16s win the West Leinster League. She is also a member of the Kilkenny College Senior First team who won the South East Senior Schools Cup final and go on to represent South East next week in the All Ireland Schools tournament for the Kate Russell Trophy. 

Like most sports clubs, there is a massive voluntary effort, with many parents involved in coaching and training.