'This is the next best thing'- Tommy Fitzgerald ready for championship debut as Laois manager

After a difficult Division 1B campaign that ended in relegation, Laois begin their Joe McDonagh Cup journey this weekend, and it starts in familiar territory. They take on Westmeath, the same side they beat in Mullingar for their only league victory of the year.

Fitzgerald spoke to the local media on Monday evening, April 14, at a press evening organised by Laois GAA.

It’s a result that brings some confidence into Saturday’s clash, and Laois manager Tommy Fitzgerald is hoping that a new competition brings with it a new momentum. There’s been a four-week break since Laois last took to the field competitively against Dublin in the league, and Fitzgerald is happy with how they’ve made use of the time off.

"I think there was a gap of four weeks between the Dublin game in the last round of the league and then Westmeath in Round One. The lads went back to their clubs for the first week, most of them played a round of club league, so it's a three-week lead in then. We're not too bad numbers-wise, bodies-wise, we're starting to get a few lads back that were missing the last few rounds of the league, and we've one or two injuries, but the panel is more or less the same," he said.

Injuries were a recurring problem during the latter stages of the league, with the squad stretched thin, especially when U-20 commitments came into play. But there’s better news now on that front.

"Five lads were injured for the last few rounds of the league, and then obviously with the 20s as well, we were trying to give them a bit of breathing space in the lead up to their championship game. So for the Dublin game, I think we were down 10, but look, it gave opportunities to other players. A lot of those numbers are coming back now. We still have one or two, and we picked up a fresh injury in the meantime as well. That's all part and parcel. If you're carrying over 30 players, you're going to have one or two injuries along the way. If you can limit it to one or two, you're doing well," Fitzgerald explained.

Despite beating Westmeath earlier this year, Fitzgerald expects a very tight contest in Laois Hire O’Moore Park.

"Over the last number of years, there hasn't been a whole pile between us in recent games. They have a few lads back that didn't play against us. They played the last few rounds of the league. They will be strong. We know what's facing us on Saturday. They have a bit to worry about our lads as well. It’s quite an even contest, I'd imagine, heading into it," he noted.

The league finale against Dublin may have been a dead rubber, but Laois approached it with a professional mindset, using it to develop depth and give valuable minutes to fringe players.

"We prepared for the Dublin game like we would have for any other game, to be honest. We treated it the same as any other game. Certain lads got game time, having not seen game time before that as well, so it was a good opportunity in that regard. We released them more or less for the week after, back to the clubs, and it was a short lead-in then. It was only a three-week lead-in, and we're not trying to overload them either with a huge number of sessions. So the last couple of weeks have really flown," he added.

A recent challenge match away to Cork has helped sharpen things up ahead of the championship, with places on the starting team still very much up for grabs.

"We had a good run out last week. It was good to get a game down in Páirc Uí Chaoimh, which was nice. That was the only game we played, but we had a few internal games, and there’s a lot of competition for places on the starting 15 and the 26 as well," he said.

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Managing players involved with the U-20s has required careful planning and coordination, particularly with their knockout game looming just days after Saturday’s senior clash.

"We’ve managed it fairly well so far. Last week, we didn't see them at all. They were with the 20s and it was the same in the lead-up to their first round game. We didn't see them at all that week either. It's been kind of a week-on, week-off basis. I've been in contact with Derek, and they're obviously with us this week. We'll chat again throughout the week in terms of next week. We're literally trying to get over Saturday first, and then we'll chat again Saturday evening. We're trying to mind them as well. It’s a lot of going, and it's a fairly intense period for them as well. One guy is doing his Leaving Cert still as well in the middle of that. It's not ideal for them, but at the same time, if you're 19 years of age and you're 20 years of age and you're playing games week-in, week-out, it's probably what they want to do anyway, you can be sure of that," the Laois boss said.

With just two sides advancing from the group stage and no semi-finals in the Joe McDonagh format, Fitzgerald knows how important it is to get points on the board early.

"It's commonly known that only two teams qualify. There's no semi-final or what have you, so the first game is really big. Westmeath will be one of the favourites. We know what’s at stake on Saturday. We know the importance of the game. There's a good bit on the line. For any of the games, we'll probably be preparing the same anyway. The first game is really big. If we can get off to a win, you're up and running and you're in a good space, but if you don't pick up a win, you are under pressure straight away," Fitzgerald warned.

Now in his first championship as senior inter-county manager, Fitzgerald admits that while the pressure is different to when he was a player, the buzz of championship week remains just as strong.

"It is a totally different experience. As a player, you just have to get yourself right. You want to make sure you're ready to perform. To a certain extent, once the ball is thrown in on Saturday, it’s out of our control. In the meantime, you're trying to tick as many boxes as you can. I'd rather be a player, to be honest with you, but that day is over now, so this is the next best thing. When you finish playing, you probably don't think you'll be able to replace that buzz of Championship Week, but there's certainly a buzz this week, and it’s exciting," he commented.

And ahead of a big day in O’Moore Park, he called on the Laois public to get behind their team.

"That's important. We all enjoy playing at home in front of our home fans. You probably have a bigger support when you're playing in O’Moore Park. These lads are putting in a serious effort since whenever it was we started. They're really committed, and they all really love playing for Laois. They deserve that support, and we're hoping that the Laois hurling public can come out and support them over the next couple of weeks. It will make a difference if they do," Fitzgerald concluded.

Laois will take on Westmeath on Saturday, April 19 in Laois Hire O'Moore Park from 3pm. The Leinster Express/ Laois Live will be providing a live blog from the game. Tickets for the game can be purchased 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, as well as online here.