Laois hurlers eye back-to-back wins in Division 1B as Carlow visit Portlaoise
Tommy Fitzgerald got his first win as Laois manager last weekend
Fresh from his first win since taking the job as Laois Senior Hurling manager, Tommy Fitzgerald will have his sights set on making it two wins in as many weeks when they welcome Carlow to Portlaoise on Sunday.
Laois had to dig deep to get past the challenge of Westmeath in Mullingar last Sunday and it was made that bit harder as they had to play the last half an hour without PJ Scully after the Borris-Kilcotton forward was shown a red card.
Like their football counterparts, the hurlers also fell to Offaly in their league opener, with the Faithful County winning by nine points. The game against Offaly was meant to be the second game of the league but the original fixture against Westmeath was postponed due to a frozen pitch in Mullingar.
Laois travelled to Waterford for Round 3 but left empty-handed as the home side won by 10 points in the end. Laois could have easily won the game in Walsh Park but their lack of accuracy from frees and from play meant that it was always going to be an uphill task.
Carlow come into Sunday's game unbeaten having only played two matches as they had a bye in Round 3. They drew with Offaly in their opener before getting the better of Waterford in Round 2.
The away side had two weeks off since their last game while Laois are playing for the fourth week in a row due to their game against Westmeath getting scheduled on the weekend that was supposed to be left free for the college finals. Laois felt the full effects of that as they were without centre-back Podge Delaney, who captained Garda College to glory in the Ryan Cup.
Laois v Carlow throws-in at 2pm on Sunday, February 23 in Laois Hire O'Moore Park. The Leinster Express/ Laois Live will be providing a free live blog from the game. Tickets for the contest can be bought here as well as in person in the following stores; SuperValu Stradbally, Breslin’s SuperValu Rathdowney, McConville’s SuperValu Mountmellick, McLoughlin’s SuperValu Portarlington, Mulhall’s SuperValu Portlaoise, SuperValu Abbeyleix and SuperValu Parkside Portlaoise.