Laois hurling manager Tommy Fitzgerald reflects on crucial win for Laois over Westmeath

Laois senior hurling manager Tommy Fitzgerald had plenty to smile about after his side opened their Joe McDonagh Cup campaign with a 3-25 to 1-22 win over Westmeath. While acknowledging areas for improvement, Fitzgerald was content with a solid start.

"Happy with the result, more than anything, to be honest," he said. "There's always a lot of pressure in the first game of the Joe McDonagh Cup because if you lose, you're on the back foot straight away. We didn't speak much about it, but I suppose everybody understood that, so there was a good bit of pressure coming in today. Just very happy to come out with the win. Lots to improve on, though. It was scrappy at times, we were in and out of the game at times, but very happy with the result," he said.

The game began sluggishly from a Laois perspective, as they trailed by two points after 20 minutes. Fitzgerald didn’t shy away from pointing out the slow start.

"We were poor for the first 15 to 20 minutes, there's no point in saying it differently," he admitted. "We looked jittery, we looked a bit nervous to be honest. It was very low-scoring, and I think we only had three or four points after 15, 16, 17 minutes, but that last 15 minutes of the first half were crucial. We went up a couple of gears, and we got a couple of really good scores. Our standards definitely rose in the second quarter of the first half and the second half," Fitzgerald added.

A key factor in their improved display was the influence of the Laois half-back line, with Podge Delaney earning particular praise.

"The half-backs were very good under the Westmeath puck-outs. Podge Delaney is after missing a couple of weeks of training. He stepped back in today. I thought he was immense, so I'm delighted for him and a few others as well who really stood up today," said Fitzgerald.

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He felt the nervy opening was down to a mix of tension, tough conditions, and early rustiness.

"It just wasn't happening. Maybe we just looked a bit anxious, and we lacked a little bit of composure in the first 15 minutes," he explained. "First round of the championship, everyone was really eager. Slippy ball as well, you have to consider that and get used to conditions, but after that, I thought they settled in well and we caused some trouble inside at times," he said.

A huge momentum shift came from a Lee Cleere defensive intervention that led to a stunning Mossy Keyes goal just moments later.

"It’s the old adage, isn't it, goals win games. It was a six-point swing. Lee did really well to get back and hook Niall Mitchell, and straight from the turnover, we went down the field and Mossy stuck it in the top corner. Look, it was a massive moment and a six-point swing," he commented.

Keyes’ performance earned glowing praise from his manager.

"He's just a great bit of stuff. He's just an outrageous talent really, and he's really hard working as well. He has a great attitude, so I'm delighted for him now," Fitzgerald said.

Fitzgerald was equally pleased for Ben Conroy, who netted twice after struggling for game time earlier in the season.

"Again, just on a personal level, I’m really delighted for Ben because he was struggling to get into the team and making the 26 at times throughout the league," he said. "He was probably getting frustrated, and a few others as well, getting the same way, but he stuck to the task. He's worked so hard in training, and his form has been really good the last three weeks. He got his reward, and I'm delighted to see him take his opportunity today," he noted.

After a difficult National League campaign, Fitzgerald hopes the win will inject belief heading into next week’s clash with Down.

"The league was difficult, but it was a very competitive league," he reflected. "There were no soft matches or handy matches, and I thought maybe the results didn't show it, but we had been making steady progress, we felt, in the background. We were quite confident coming in today. I thought preparations had gone well but you don't know until you go out there. To get the win and to win by a few points, you'd be hoping that it gives us confidence to kick on. But we know what we're facing next week up in Ballycran in a tight field," the Laois manager said.

Next up is a trip to Ballycran, a venue Fitzgerald knows will test his side both physically and mentally.

"It’ll be a tough trip. Down at home are a different team to the Down team that plays away," he warned. "It’s a really tricky, tricky game in seven days’ time, so we just have to be ready physically and mentally for that," Fitzgerald said.

With competition strong across the panel, Fitzgerald welcomed the selection headaches that now come with a deeper squad.

"There's genuine competition for places there," he said. "We had 31 players used in the league, and the job we had to do to pick 26 for today, even some really good and experienced lads were left off the 26. That was a hard, hard job. But we brought in five lads. We do have genuine competition and strength in depth, which is pleasing. You'd be hoping it helps, and it is, I think, helping drive standards. But it keeps everyone on their toes as well," he added.

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On the injury front, Jordan Walshe went off injured, and Aaron Dunphy missed out through injury too.

"Jordan (Walshe), it looks like a hamstring, so we'll have to see in a couple of days to see where he's at. I don't know at the moment, to be honest with you," he explained. "Aaron (Dunphy), next week's going to come too soon for him as well, possibly round three. We'll be hoping there's a week's gap in between the games there. Willie's fit. Willie's going well actually, so he'll be back in contention for next week again," Fitzgerald ended.