"You can't be disappointed, we had our opportunity"- Billy Sheehan on Laois' failure to obtain promotion

The Laois footballers missed out on promotion from Division 4 on the final day as their six-goal showing against London proved to be in vain. Laois needed Leitrim to beat Sligo to have a chance of finishing in the top two, however Tony McEntee's men left Carrick-on-Shannon with the win. It was Wicklow who finished second in the end as they leapfrogged Laois into second place on the virtue of head-to-head.

Billy Sheehan spoke to the media after the game to give his thoughts on the win over London and the upcoming Leinster Football Championship.

"We had a very slow start, we did play against the elements, there was a strong breeze and all that. We went three points behind, it took us 17 minutes to score. In fairness, the boys did settle into it and we did get three goals in the first-half and possibly could have got four or five. We had good point scoring opportunities that we didn't take but the elements were difficult in fairness to the players. Some of our top players from the 14-yard line, the ball pulling wide with the win.", Sheehan said.

Laois pressed superbly from the forwards all the way through the team and their ability to win the ball back high up the field allowed them to tack on scores.

"The boys pressed very well, all the front eight especially. We did get two of the goals off it in the first-half and again in the second-half. These boys have been doing that all year and they probably got their rewards for it. When did they turn them over, there was no cover back there and on other days this year when we did turn over other teams, they had cover. I'd never question their work rate and they just done what they've being doing all season.", he said.

Sheehan's side will feel aggrieved to miss out on promotion as the two games they lost were very tight as the clock ticked towards the 70th minute. The Laois boss feels that it's something he has to look at in the future.

"The situation is we were relegated last year on head-to-head with a 25-point better score difference and we didn't get promoted this year on a head-to-head again. So, look you can't be disappointed, we had our opportunity against Wicklow. There was a point in the game with 69 minutes on the clock, and we ended up losing by two. The Leitrim game, it was a draw match after 70 minutes and we end up losing by two.I wouldn't question the boys, it's just a question where I have to look at where that went wrong when it happens twice. It's something as a manager that I have to take ownership of as well.", Sheehan said.

Sheehan feels that anyone who's in a position to criticize the players, should instead aim the criticism at him. He knows that the players he has give their all every week and that as a manager he has to own up to results.

"I know people ridiculed the team last year, it's very harsh on players and I will stick by them. As the saying goes, the players will win the games and I will take ownership when they lose, it's my fault. I've been 100% since I came here and I'm not going to pass the buck but I'm not going to let my players be ridiculed either. They're young lads, they're learning their trade and they should be treated with respect, not ridiculed.", the Laois manager added.

Laois face a week break now before Wexford make the trip to Laois Hire O'Moore Park in the first round of the Leinster Football Championship.

"We've a big game to prepare for in two weeks time against Wexford. In fairness to them, they'll pose a serious threat to us and they have the likes of Robbie Brooks back, who they didn't have against us in the league and they've moved a few lads around. They'll have no fear coming to Portlaoise as they never have. It's going to be a big battle for us to get ready to play them in two weeks time.", Sheehan said.