'We're really up against it, it's a major challenge'- Justin McNulty ahead of Wexford clash

Laois Senior Football manager Justin McNulty says his Laois team are under no illusions about the task that lies ahead as they prepare to open their Leinster Senior Football Championship campaign against Wexford on Saturday. McNulty was speaking at a Laois GAA press event on Tuesday evening, April 1.

Since then, former Laois manager Mick O'Dwyer, who led the team to the 2003 Leinster Championship title, passed away, and McNulty paid tribute to the legendary figure exclusively to the Leinster Express/ Laois Live.

"Mick O’Dwyer was a heroic figure in the GAA. He instilled belief and discipline wherever he went and brought with him into counties like Laois a huge sense of energy and hope. His achievements as a player and as a manager leave behind a legacy that will never be surpassed."

Reflecting on their Allianz Division 3 campaign, the Laois boss acknowledged a mix of positives and negatives, while admitting the side still has areas to tidy up.

"I think we've had a solid league campaign. We certainly didn't set the world on fire, however. We had a few strong, positive results and performances. A few results that weren't so good. We did quite well in our last two games, but we left them two games behind us. We were in a good position coming down the straight in both of those matches, but we let the other team steal the outcome on both of those occasions. It's something we have to address and fix before this Saturday, and we can't have that situation repeated."

Injuries, departures and unavailability saw McNulty introduce new players throughout the league, with several players stepping up. Now, those who impressed will be expected to take that form into the Championship.

"We've had to explore our panel in a major way, because we obviously had a lot of departures from last season, based on injury and other commitments. For lads, young fellas who have made decisions on what to do with their lives at a particular time. Some of the players have really stood up and proven themselves, and hopefully will be ready for their first run out in the Championship, which is on Saturday against Wexford." READ MORE BELOW PICTURE.

McNulty is full of praise for this weekend’s opponents, highlighting their flawless league record and the variety of threats they pose.

"We know we’ve an enormous task against the only team across the four divisions who have a 100%-win rate in the league proper. They're a fit, organised, well-disciplined and well-coached team. They’ve got scoring power over many parts of the park, with seven different scorers over ten points. We're really up against it. It's a major challenge, but one we're really excited about and one we're looking forward to on Saturday."

While Laois could be forced to make changes due to ongoing injury concerns, McNulty is confident that even those yet to feature this year can step into the breach if required.

"We have huge confidence in the players we've used in the league, and we have huge confidence in some of the players we haven't used in the league as well, who may be called upon this weekend because we have a few injury concerns. If that comes to pass, that the injuries don't clear up ahead of Saturday, we're going to the wire on this one. There are a number of players, a number of big starters for us who are not fully there yet. So, we're going to have to try out new players who haven't had any game time at all yet. But we're confident they can go and do a job for us if called upon. Their attitude has been exceptional and positive, and we're hoping that they’ll step up to the plate when it's required, and it's going to be required this Saturday."

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New rules in the inter-county game have added another layer of uncertainty, but McNulty believes Wexford have adapted better than most and credits their coaching setup for that.

"I think so, no team has them down to a tee so far yet. There's still a huge learning but it’s credit to the players most of all. This has been thrown upon, voiced upon without really much ado, and they've just taken it in their stride and adapted. I think most teams are adapting as best they can. Now, have we adapted as well and as fully as we can? Probably not, but we're a work in progress, and hopefully we'll hit the ground running on that front on Saturday. You have to say that Wexford have certainly accommodated and adjusted to the rules very effectively. John Hegarty is obviously an astute coach. They're very physically developed. They're athletic, they're fit, they're fast, and they look to know what they're at in every part of the park, every part of the pitch. Every player looks accomplished and composed in possession. They'll be wondering themselves how they didn't beat Limerick with the number of shots they had. We expect a huge, huge challenge, and I guess whichever team adapts and adapts to the new rules the best for the championship, will be the team that will come out on top.

"I think we're evolving every game we go out. I think your best 15 changes every match and every opposition, depending on what you're facing and what the permutations potentially are within the games. We know more about our squad, but do we know it all? No, we don't. It's probably going to take a number of years before you can really understand what your team and players have to offer, so we're learning every game we go out. I suppose it’s about putting the best 15 for that particular match onto the pitch and seeing how they cope and adapt, and perform, so that's what comes out of it."

Despite knowing Louth await the winners next weekend, McNulty insists that all focus remains firmly on the immediate task in Chadwicks Wexford Park.

"No, only one match and that is Wexford Park on Saturday at 6 o’clock."

Laois and Wexford will face-off in Chadwicks Wexford Park on Saturday, April 5 from 6pm. The Leinster Express/ Laois Live will be providing a live blog from the game while tickets for the game can be bought 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.