Royal abdicator happy to break with Leinster tradition

FOURTEEN years ago, Trim native Niall Tully never thought he’d see the day — a Meath side facing Laois opposition as rank outsiders.

Tully probably never saw himself as coach for the Laois side either, but that’s precisely how things stand as Portlaoise meet Meath champions Skryne in tomorrow’s Leinster Club football final in Newbridge.

Back in 1990, the secondary school teacher upped sticks from his home sod to set up camp in Portlaoise and teach in Ballyfin College, a five-mile spin from the county town. At the time, football in Laois didn’t carry the kudos it does now, where every Laois minor player is a pin-up boy for schoolgirls throughout the county.