"That's the nature of high-level sport"- Laois hurling manager Willie Maher after Laois' relegation

The Laois Senior Hurling team were relegated to Division 2 of the league earlier this afternoon after a four-point defeat to Westmeath. 

Willie Maher's side don't have much time to rest on their laurels as the first round of the Joe McDonagh Cup takes place in two weeks time. Maher spoke to the media after the game to give his immediate thoughts on the contest.

"Very disappointed, to lose a relegation final is always disappointing. Personally, hugely disappointed that we lost, the players inside are equally as disappointed. So, disappointment is the word and there's no real solace in a game like today, bar taking the learning's out of it but now it's too raw. We're just trying to review and see what we can learn going forward.

Laois battled hard in the second-half as they fought back on many an occasion to level the game. The killer blow for Laois was when James Keyes had levelled the game, only to see Westmeath go back up the pitch and raise a green flag. Maher can't fault his side on effort or determination.

"You can never criticize attitude or hard work, the lads gave us that in abundance today. It was probably our decision-making that let us down today when the match was in the melting pot. We missed scores that we should be getting at this level and they're the differences. Westmeath played really well today and especially in the second-half, as I said disappointment is the word and we have to learn from it, that's the nature of high-level sport, we have to move on.

Laois' forwards were on form today with Laois racking up 1-26, however the concession of three goals was ultimately their downfall. Maher called on the panel to rest and regroup as they go in search of competing in the Leinster Championship for  2024 with all eyes on the Joe McDonagh Cup

"I've laid it out from the start, in regards to the lads who put their hands up will get selected. Roddy (Ross King) has been working very hard to put himself in a position to impact the game and he had two points today, which is very good. We need the panel to show us as players that they have the mentality off the field to come back from this and train hard and get ready for Joe McDonagh. We're getting focused for the Offaly game in 14 days time and we want to really go at this thing.

Laois now face a week off in terms of matches, but Maher remains coy that they won't be sitting around and that everyone needs to get back focused for the Offaly game in Tullamore on Saturday April 8.

"We'll review the panel next weekend. Again, we've done a lot of alterations in the last while with personnel. We'll be analysing and doing a lot of 1-on-1's with players to get their feedback and for me to give them the direction of where they can go as regards to impacting change here. It's very much next weekend, although there's no game, it'll be full steam ahead. We'll train during the week, we'll train next weekend and I suppose we just get ready for Offaly now."