'The Championship will be the ultimate aim'- Laois GAA's Tommy Fitzgerald ahead of league opener

Laois hurling manager Tommy Fitzgerald is setting high standards for his team as they gear up for the National League which begins on Saturday, January 25 against Westmeath in Mullingar. With a focus on striking a balance between youth and experience, Fitzgerald is determined to prepare his side for the challenges of Division 1B and beyond. He was speaking to the local media for the first time since being appointed the Laois manager.

Laois boasts an exciting crop of young talent, with five players on the Senior panel also eligible for the U-20 side. Fitzgerald acknowledges the difficulty of transitioning from U-20 to Senior level but is confident the younger players will get their chance.

"Two of them were actually on the team last year in the McDonagh final, Tom Cuddy and Jer Quinlan, they’re both still under-20. At the moment, we've Ciarán Flynn, Cormac Hogan and Cormac Byrne as well who are under 20. Throughout the league, I don't know to be honest with you. We'll see how they're going in training, and everyone's going to get a chance," Fitzgerald explained.

The manager has been working closely with Laois U-20 boss and fellow Portlaoise native Derek Delaney to ensure the young players can balance both commitments.

"I’m fortunate enough that Derek Delaney, who's a good friend of mine, we have a good relationship, and we've been tic-tac-ing a lot over the last couple of weeks. Even on Tuesday night last, we let two of the 20s go up and play a game with them rather than come with us. We're just trying to get the balance right and be fair to them," Fitzgerald said.

As Laois turns its attention to the league, Fitzgerald is clear on the immediate priority.

"We haven't sat down and named our goals as such. At the moment, it's the National League because it's a very competitive division. It's a good division for us, there are good games in it. I'd like to think we're going to be competitive every day we go out," he said.

However, Laois faces a tough start to the league, with injuries already impacting the squad.

"We have a few lads that are carrying knocks and the first league game will probably come a little too early for them. Diarmaid Conway had a shoulder operation after the county final and realistically he's going to struggle to see any game time in the league. Cathal Cuddy hasn't returned to the field of play either," Fitzgerald revealed.

Despite these setbacks, Fitzgerald is confident in the depth of his panel.

"It was a big blow. We're down our whole full-back line from last year. That’s going to take a bit of replacing but look, that horrible phrase, it is what it is. You just get on with it and we've lads putting their hand up and trying to get the jersey. They're good lads and they're going to get their chance," he said.

The return of experienced players like Paddy Purcell has also been a boost for Laois, with Fitzgerald emphasising the importance of veteran players in helping younger members adapt.

"You'd be hoping over the next couple of months that they'd be able to help the younger lads adapt to the scene and show them the way an inter-county hurler should behave on the pitch and off the pitch," he said.

Laois supporters will be eager to see how the team performs under Fitzgerald’s leadership. The manager hopes for strong public backing throughout the campaign.

"I think it's fair to say there's always been a huge goodwill towards the Laois Senior hurling team around the county, that's my experience. I often say that lads are just looking for a team to go and follow but that's a two-way street as well. They will expect the fellas who are turning up every day and us as a group to be highly organised and to be fit and to come with a huge work rate every day we put on the jersey," Fitzgerald said.

With a challenging league schedule and the Joe McDonagh Cup looming, Fitzgerald is optimistic about what his team can achieve.

"Obviously, Championship is Championship and that will be the ultimate aim for the year. We're fairly confident that we'll probably be in a lot better place come the McDonagh. We're also conscious that we're in a very competitive league. At the moment, that's all we can focus on because we have some tough games coming up and we have to win a few of them," he ended.

Laois and Westmeath throws-in at 2pm on Saturday, January 25 in TEG Cusack Park, Mullingar.