'I’d question the integrity of the competition' says Laois GAA hurling buss after Offaly result

The Laois Senior hurling team’s season came to a premature end on Saturday evening as their victory over Kerry in Tralee wasn’t enough to seal their place in the McDonagh Cup final. Laois required an Offaly win over Carlow but that wasn’t forthcoming as Offaly fell to a 16-point defeat in Netwatch Cullen Park.

Laois manager Willie Maher reflected on the season as whole and his plans for the off-season as well as his thoughts on Offaly playing their second-string side against Carlow.

“Mixed emotions, the lads carried themselves so well coming down here today and putting on a performance like that. It’s great to win and everything else but it’s very disappointing with what Offaly did. We recognised having been beaten by Offaly in the first match and drawing against Carlow in fairly controversial circumstances, we knew it was out of our hands but I’d question the integrity of the competition. The team that tops the group plays 12 new players for the final game. It’s just very disappointing.”, Maher said.

Maher was questioned as to whether he would have done the same thing had Laois already been qualified for the final like Offaly had been before their game in Carlow.

“No, I wouldn’t, it’s as simple as that. I don’t believe in that. It was Offaly’s decision and they’re in the McDonagh Cup final and more power to them. It’s disappointing all-round and our lads gave us everything today, their attitude was spot-on. We recognised that we had a match to win today, which they did and they played well. We’ve 35 guys on the panel who want to play for Laois and that’s a real positive.”, Maher added. 

Laois had been in full control of their destiny following their loss against Offaly, however the draw against Carlow meant that their faith was now taken out of their hands.

“We didn’t score for 15 minutes against Carlow, they drew level and then we got three more points in injury time to push us clear. We had a fairly frank meeting after the Offaly game and ironed a good few bits. We just want honesty from the group and they’ve given us everything since so that’s positive. We couldn’t ask for anything more, a big result here today for us and it’s a pity it didn’t matter in the end.”, Maher said.

Laois’ panel got stronger as the season progressed with Saturday’s panel probably one of their strongest all year.

“Willie and Aaron, the two Dunphys, were still injured so that’s something for us to look at and how we get all our players in the team. We blooded a lot of players this year and gave guys debuts. Picky Maher is probably playing the best hurling of his life for Laois so they’re positives but there’s an overriding sense of negativity here today with the result in Carlow.”, Maher added.

2024 will see Laois play in the second-tier of both the league and championship as they go in search of reaching the top table of hurling yet again.

“You’re not facing Tipperary in the first round in Semple Stadium. Look we are where we are and that’s as a result of what’s happened this year. We’ve found a few players and there’s a few more to come in over the next while. When we reflect on today and reflect on the season, we’ll put plans in place for driving Laois forward.”

Maher and his backroom team only came into the Laois setup six months ago so he’s keen on getting to watch the club championships in Laois and finding new players for next season.

“I’m really looking forward to the club championships and seeing players as we came in November/December last year so it was difficult to see matches albeit the latter stages of the Laois championships. I’m looking forward to getting to games and understanding the landscape better. We’ve 35 lads in the dressing room chomping at the bit to play for Laois so that’s a real positive.”