Tommy Fitzgerald encouraged by effort despite Walsh Cup defeat to Wexford

The Laois senior hurlers got their 2026 inter-county campaign underway in Rathdowney on Sunday afternoon. Laois were competitive for 50 minutes against Wexford before the away side fired eight of the last nine points to secure a six-point victory.

After the game, manager Tommy Fitzgerald admitted that his side looked a bit tired and leggy, having given so much to the game in the first 50 minutes.

“We were two up at half-time, probably should have been more up to be quite honest with you. We were quite wasteful in the first-half. I thought we were the better team in the first-half. As the second-half progressed, then, I think it was back to level 10 minutes to go, was it, or 8 minutes to go, but we didn't finish strong. We looked leggy, we looked tired in the last 10 minutes, so we'll have to look back at the video. We have trained hard the last couple of weeks, maybe that had an impact. But yeah, useful exercise fourth of January. I thought the application, the energy, and the work rate were quite positive, to be fair. So happy to get the game under our belt,” he said.

Sunday saw the return of the Walsh Cup, having not been played in 2025, and Fitzgerald believes that players enjoy training when they know there’s a competitive game at the end of the week, compared to a challenge game.

“I think the players enjoy it as well. It makes training during the week a little bit easier when you know you have a competitive game coming at the weekend. But look, we've another game Thursday night, and we're just trying to see, I suppose, mix and match the panel. Get game time in to fellas, and lads are playing Fitzgibbon as well, and we're mindful of that. So you're trying to, I suppose, get the schedules correct. But yeah, it's probably not ideal playing Thursday night again. Some players probably will have to play two games in four days. But we'll change the team up again on Thursday night. And as I said, it gives the lads more game time, more opportunities, and allows the lads to put their hand up before the first round of the league,” Fitzgerald said.

There were plenty of new faces in the blue and white of Laois, as well as some familiar older faces. Jack Kelly made his Laois return and finished with three points to his name.

“There are lots of fellas there who weren't togged today for various reasons, and they'll be back shortly, and some of them on Thursday night hopefully. It's good competition. A lot of new faces in there, and a few old faces returned as well. So it's adding to the group, and we're delighted to have them back,” he added.

When asked if he feels Laois are in a good position heading into the league, which gets underway in three weeks, the Laois manager said: “We're probably happy with our pre-season, to be honest with you. We've got a good backroom team in place there, and the last few weeks have been positive. I know Christmas can be a little bit disrupted. We had the under-20 championship, and Ballacolla went late enough as well. So look, every county has those little issues, but we're very happy with how the pre-season has gone so far. I think we're only three weeks out from the first round of the league, so it won't be long coming around. The likes of today is useful in terms of us trying to find out what our best 15 is, and see lads and give them game time.”

He also paid tribute to Willie Dunphy, who announced his inter-county retirement after 14 years. Fitzgerald said he knew the news was coming due to Dunphy's injury issues in 2025.

"In fairness to Willie, he would have flagged it even last year; it was probably going to be his last year. He had an awful year injury-wise, and I just couldn't say enough good things about him. An absolute warrior, what a brilliant Laois man, what a brilliant Laois player. Even last year epitomised that it felt like he just kept on breaking down with his knees, but he was there every night, and he was working hard. He was being positive around the younger players. Just a brilliant, brilliant Laois man, what a servant he's been. Upmost respect for him," Fitzgerald said.

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Fitzgerald has had some changes in his backroom team, with Aidan Stakelum and Jeff Lynskey coming in as coaches. The Portlaoise native concluded the interview by saying the players have reacted well to the two lads coming in.

“They've reacted very well. It's been positive so far, but again, look, it’s only early days. It's hard to get quality work done this time of year as well. But over the next couple of months, as conditions improve and everything else, and we do a lot more hurling with the lads, we should be in a better place,” Fitzgerald said.

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