All eyes on Offaly as Willie Maher's Laois team defeat Carlow

Laois Senior Hurling manager Willie Maher has silverware under his belt after his side thumped Carlow in Sunday’s Division 2A final.

Maher was delighted to have won the final but their focus now turns to Offaly in the opening game of the Joe McDonagh.

“Really positive result today. We had a good league and we’re very, very happy. It's like every manager this time of the year, post-league, it's about three weeks' time against Offaly and that's the focus for us and has been for the last while. So, nice to pick up a trophy, nice to get promoted and we're just working now towards Offaly in three weeks' time,” he said. 

Carlow have proved to be a bit of a bogey team for Laois in recent years as they’ve struggled to get a victory over their near neighbours. Sunday’s win represents Laois’ first win over time with Maher as manager.

“I think Carlow are a really good team. In my tenure here, we drew with them here last year in the Joe McDonagh. They beat us well in Portlaoise, so we hadn't beaten them in two years. So, look, really happy to get a good performance against Carlow. They were a little bit off today, but our lads played really well. And any time you come down here to Dr Cullen Park, it's the first time in my career I've ever won here, so, it's a difficult place to come. We're very happy with the performance and ultimately winning the game. But as I said, it's only serving as preparation for three weeks' time,” Maher said.

Laois played into the wind in the first period and led 0-9 to 0-8 at the break with Maher going on to say that they had planned to use the wind the second-half. Carlow struggled with the wind and were missing scorable chances.

“I think we started the match really well. We planned, I suppose, ultimately to play against the wind. We won the toss and went that way. So, forcing Carlow to go long or try to work it through us. We scored some brilliant scores in the first half. I think we were worth our one-point lead going in at half-time. So, a really positive start. Players bought into what we were doing and just ultimately very, very happy,” he said.

Carlow came out after the break and soon led by a goal as Chris Nolan beat Enda Rowland in the Laois goal. Mossy Keyes replied almost instantly and Maher was delighted with his side’s response to the quick second-half start from Carlow.

“No, they didn't. And, like, look, that's a testament to the quality of the players that Carlow have but I think our lads responded. Like, Mossy’s goal was absolutely super and Jer Quinlan got a brilliant goal as well. So, look, really happy for the individuals to do that.

But, again, we're in a position now that we're heading towards three weeks' time. We're going to give the guys a few days off now after the league. The performance levels were decent today, but when we went away from our shape, when we went away from our plan today, we were very average. So, they're the learnings for us, and that's what we'll take going into three weeks' time,” the Laois manager said.

Laois had plenty of big performers across the team with every player playing their part in their 13-point victory.

“If you go across the team, Ryan Mullaney was very, very solid at full-back and Podge Delaney was excellent. The two boys in the middle of the field were excellent, Paddy and Aidan. Martin Phelan gave a huge amount. This is a panel game, and we could only bring 20 lads on today, which is very disappointing with the levels of intensity and interest the boys are showing trying to get into the squad. It's great to win a trophy with Laois, which has topped off a good weekend, and congratulations to Justin and the footballers yesterday winning Division 4 in Croke Park. So, look, it's been a good weekend for Laois, but again, you're as good as your last match, and that's the attitude we have heading towards Offaly in three weeks,” he said.

There’s plenty of competition right across the team and Maher says that’s what you need in an inter-county setup.

“That's what you need, you need guys chomping at the bit. You need guys angry with you for not picking you, and trying to give them development areas to come back and guys are showing that. Guys are coming back, guys are putting their hands up and there's no one sulking. It's a really positive environment that we're trying to build, and what we have at the moment,” Maher said.

All attention now turns to Laois’ game with Offaly in the Joe McDonagh. Laois will be hoping that they can reverse the result of last year’s contest as Offaly defeated Laois in Tullamore.

“The league is the league, and that's the way we've approached it. We had a job to do to get promoted to Division 1, to be with the bigger teams next year and we did that. Today was the icing on the cake as regards to winning a match against a very good Carlow team. So, we're content going away. We're looking forward to building towards three weeks' time against Offaly,” he ended.

Laois open their Joe McDonagh Cup campaign against Offaly on Sunday, April 21.