Long-serving Laois star calls it a day after 14 years
The Tailteann Cup final defeat to Down in July proved to be Lillis's last game for Laois
Long-serving Laois footballer Kieran Lillis has announced his retirement from the inter-county scene.
The Portlaoise man was first called into the panel in 2010 and was a mainstay ever since, bar the 2015 season which he missed due to a shoulder operation. The high point of his career was probably reaching the 2012 All-Ireland quarter-final as Laois pushed then All-Ireland champions Dublin while they also reached the Leinster final in 2018, when Lillis partnered John O’Loughlin at midfield, though they suffered a heavy defeat to the rampant Dubs on that occasion.
Laois went up and down through the divisions during Lillis’s career, spending the 2012 season in Division One and though they dropped to Division Four subsequently, John Sugrue brought them back to Division Two before they fell to the basement again, finally emerging from it this year and reaching the Tailteann Cup final under Justin McNulty, in his second stint in charge.
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It was in that final, a defeat to Down, that Lillis made what proved to be his final appearance for the county off the bench and he referenced it in an Instagram post in which he announced his retirement.
“Although it ended in a loss, ending an amazing 20-year journey in the blue and white—from starting at age 14 to finishing in HQ—isn’t a bad way to bow out,” he said.
“I’m incredibly grateful to my family, my club, my teammates, mentors, and the supporters who have been there for me every step of the way.
“Laois, Laois, Laois.”
Speaking in August, Lillis outlined how he was unsure about his future, saying that “there are sacrifices that you have to make and there are other people you have to consider now when you’re 34 going on 35 next year so there’s a bit around it”, adding that he would make a final decision after the club campaign.
He was subsequently part of the Portlaoise side that was well beaten by Portarlington in last month’s county final.
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