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From disappointment to determination: Laois' Enda Rowland and Paddy Purcell chase historic double
Laois and Offaly go head-to-head in the Joe McDonagh final
Enda Rowland (left) and Paddy Purcell of Laois. Pictures: Sportsfile
Reporter:
Gavin Cooper
07 Jun 2024 8:33 PM
Legend is a word often bandied about with carelessness, but there’s no doubting that Paddy Purcell and Enda Rowland will go down as legends in the folklore of Laois hurling.
With over 100 appearances each for the O’Moore County they’ve seen it all with Laois hurling over the last decade or so, but this year could see them bettering any of their previous achievements with a rare league and championship double. However, a year ago, Laois's season ended in disappointment after a lacklustre Joe McDonagh Cup campaign and relegation from Division 1 of the league.
Reflecting on this, Rowland shared how the team used that setback as motivation this year. “Last year was disappointing, and getting relegated out of the league was extra disappointing,” he said. “It was just one of those years, we lost by three points to Offaly in the first round of the Joe McDonagh and it just fell away from us then.
“There’s a good, strong panel there this year with serious competition for places and there are lads not starting who have Leinster Championship experience so that really drives on training,” he added, highlighting the difference from last year.
“Lads have really bought into the management team this year, the few changes made a huge difference. Last year was also a wake-up call, this time last year we were finished hurling and we were looking at Carlow and Offaly hurling in Croker saying ‘that’s where we want to be,’ so that’s a driving factor for us to get there this year as well.”
Laois turned the tables on Offaly this year by defeating them in the opening round, thanks to two late goals from Paddy Purcell. Despite being thrilled with the goals, Purcell emphasised that a significant challenge still lies ahead. “At the time it was brilliant, it’s how you want to win every match with a last-minute goal but at the back of our minds we knew there was potentially another meeting down the road so it wasn’t going to mean a whole lot,” said the Rathdowney-Errill man.
“Come the 8th of June it’s going to be 15 on 15 again and as with most Laois V Offaly matches recently there’s not going to be more than a puck of a ball in it. In terms of getting the two goals I was delighted for myself, but ultimately to get the win was massive because we saw what happened last year when we were beat in the first round, we were on the back foot, but this year we were one step ahead.”
It's been five years since Laois’ last outing in Croke Park against Tipperary, the last game of a summer that still lingers in the minds of Laois supporters having won the Joe McDonagh Cup a fortnight before and defeating Dublin in O’Moore Park the week before in a whirlwind two weeks. Purcell reflected on that experience, suggesting that he and the players may have taken it lightly at the time.
“I just said it to some of the lads this evening to enjoy it more. We let it bypass us a bit, we just thought that it was going to happen that we’d get to Croke Park in the following years. It’s five years since we’ve been there, so we’re just going to enjoy the build-up now, look forward to the game, and hopefully once half three comes, we’re ready to go.”
Laois have a rare chance to complete a league and championship double, and Rowland believes that if they succeed on Saturday, it could be the most successful year in Laois hurling history.
“As long as I’m hurling with Laois the most we’ve ever won is the Joe McDonagh. If we were to win the 2A league and Joe McDonagh it’s probably the most successful year ever for Laois hurling. Going back in the years they won Leinsters and All-Irelands, but in the last 50 years it’s going to be the most successful year for Laois hurling if we can do it.”
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