‘Grandfather would want him to play’

THE decision on whether or not Laois midfielder Padraig Clancy plays in tomorrow’s Allianz NFL semi-final clash with Kerry will be left up to the player himself, after his legendary grandfather passed away yesterday.

Jim Sayers - ironically, a native of Kerry - passed away yesterday morning, severing another link with the historic Laois team that won the 1946 Leinster senior football title.

Jim, who was in his early 80s, gloried in his grandson’s achievements in recent seasons and, according to Laois selector Declan O’Loughlin, the decision to play will be entirely Padraig’s.