Paudge Dowling made a unique contribution to the club during his long tenure in the 1970s and ‘80s as chairman of the development committee. During this time he spearheaded the acquisition of grounds and the building of the clubhouse at Fr. Browne Avenue – the first playing and social facilities owned by the club.
Paudge was a man of great humour and wit and was always an inspiration to officers and players because of his quiet yet invaluable wisdom. He hailed from an old Portlaoise family and two of his brothers, Sean and Ger, were likewise great Portlaoise men.
Ger’s son, Vincent, was club secretary from 2003 to 2005 and chairman from 2006 to 2014.
If there was any one player who symbolised the never-say-die spirit that inspired Portlaoise to become one of the country’s top GAA Clubs in the 1960s and early ‘70s is has to be Pascal Delaney, know to friend and foe alike as “The Red Lad”.
By common consent John Taylor was one of the finest hurlers in the history of Portlaoise or Laois GAA. No question. He made the number 7 jersey his own and wore it with great distinction for the town for two decades, winning eight senior championships in the process
Billy Bohane was one of the greatest hurlers ever produced by Laois and was midfield on the Laois Millennium team.
