'One more big push'- Tommy Fitzgerald rallies Laois before Joe McDonagh Cup final
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Laois return to Croke Park seeking Joe McDonagh Cup glory and a place in the 2027 Leinster SHC
For the third year in succession, Laois will walk out in Croke Park for the Joe McDonagh Cup final, but manager Tommy Fitzgerald is only concerned with one thing as his side prepares to face Carlow in Croke Park on Saturday, June 6.
Victory would not only bring silverware back to O’Moore County but also secure a return to the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship in 2027.
Speaking ahead of the decider, Fitzgerald stressed that reaching the final was always the objective, but now the focus is firmly on taking the final step.
“It's the final, it's where we wanted to be at the start of the year. Finals are for winning, so that's what we'll be going for. They’re all big ones aren’t they especially when you get to Croke Park. We'll approach it on its own merits, and it's a game that's there to be won, that's all our focus is on now.”
Standing in their way are a Carlow side who defeated Laois by nine points in the opening round of the competition, and Fitzgerald has no illusions about the challenge his players face.
“They are; they beat us well the first day. WeWe're going to be up against it, there's no doubt about it. 're hoping to learn from that first day as well, but a huge, huge task against a really good team.”
That opening-round defeat remains the only blemish on Laois’ Joe McDonagh campaign. Fitzgerald acknowledged his side fell short that day but also credited Carlow for the manner in which they controlled proceedings.
“You can look at it both ways. We didn't fire ourselves, but they probably didn’t let us hurl either. They won most of the contests around the pitch, they were sharper than us and they were better than us. They have a serious threat obviously in their forwards as well. We're well aware of what we're facing next week.”
Carlow’s attacking unit has been one of the standout features of their campaign and Fitzgerald believes they possess forwards capable of making any inter-county team in the country. However, he knows Laois must find a way to limit their influence while making the most of their own opportunities.
“They have three or four top, top forwards who would grace any team. They're going to get scores next week; there's no doubt about it. It’s just about trying to limit their opportunities and, as Pat Critchley says, score more down the far end.”
One positive for Laois heading into the final is that Fitzgerald has a largely healthy squad to choose from, with competition for places increasing across the panel.
“We do, we've a lot of competition all across the field. We've a few lads back competing now, but, yeah, they've missed a good bit of time away from the game as well.”
Among those returning is Cody Comerford, who made his comeback against London after missing the entire Joe McDonagh campaign up to that point through injury. Fitzgerald was delighted to see him back in action.
“He missed the whole Joe Mc up until then. He got injured after the league, so it's great to have him back because he's been going really well now the last year or two since he went in corner-back.”
There is, however, some uncertainty surrounding Diarmaid Conway after the Clough-Ballacolla man was forced off with a shoulder injury against London. Fitzgerald admitted a decision on his availability may not be made until later in the week.
“He has a little bit of a knock still, so we'll have to see how this week goes. I'm not 100% sure yet. He is, he's been great for us the last couple of years, for Laois and for Clough/Ballacolla. We'll be hoping that he comes through okay this week, but it's probably up in the air at the moment.”
Competition for starting places has been a recurring theme throughout Fitzgerald’s tenure and he believes the internal battle for jerseys has helped drive standards across the squad.
“We've lads pushing every line across the field and I’m kind of blue in the face from saying it, but it's just the way it is. We're fortunate enough to be in that position. The lads know they have to perform when they're playing to keep the jersey, which is a good way to have it. They're all good lads, they're all pushing and one more big push next week.”
Laois booked their place in the final with victory over London, although Fitzgerald admitted the sweltering conditions made for a difficult afternoon.
“It was a difficult game to play in as well with how incredibly warm it was. We're certainly not used to that. That definitely was a factor as well and made it difficult and obviously, the way they set up too. We probably had one foot in final leading into it, but to get official confirmation and full focus, then obviously on this game coming up.”
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Physicality was a major talking point after the first meeting between Laois and Carlow, and Fitzgerald feels his side must improve in that area if they are to reverse the result.
“Every team at this level is physical. They probably came out overall on top in the exchanges, whether it was contested balls, ruck balls or breaking balls. They definitely got the better of us the last day and it's something we'll be looking to improve on next week. They're very good at it, watching them for years and playing against them for years, once that ball hits the ground, they're very strong.”
With the stakes so high and a return to Leinster hurling on the line, Fitzgerald knows Laois will have to produce one of their best performances of the season if they are to come out on top.
“You’re never going to get it easy in a final, obviously. We're just trying to make sure that we turn up in the best possible space and we give a really strong performance and we'll see what way the ball breaks then.”
The response to the opening-round defeat has been one of the most pleasing aspects of the campaign for Fitzgerald. Rather than dwelling on the setback, he said the squad immediately shifted its focus to what needed to be done to stay alive in the competition.
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“It's probably the latter, to be honest with you. We went over there intent on getting the win and historically, the first round of the Joe Mc is important because if you lose it, you're under the cosh then. Every game is a knockout game then. We were beaten by a better team on the night. They beat us by nine and they fully deserved to beat us by nine points. We knew the lie of the land then and in fairness, the reaction was fantastic. We were probably lucky the Antrim game came seven days later because you don't want to be dwelling on a loss like that too long. The lads have responded really well since, to be fair to them, and they've done what we've had to do. They've put us in a position now to head up to Croke Park again to try and get over the line.”
That response was immediately tested when Antrim arrived in Portlaoise just seven days later. Defeat would have effectively ended Laois’ championship hopes, making it one of the defining games of their season.
“It was massive, if we'd lost that day, we were gone, our competition was over. They were the favourites going into the Joe McDonagh as well. That was a huge game and there was a lot riding on the line that day. In fairness to the lads, though, it was real determination that week and they responded the right way. We didn't feel sorry for ourselves, we went out and hurled with real hunger and aggression that day. We've kicked on since and got our business done.”
Fitzgerald admitted there was huge disappointment after the loss to Carlow, particularly given the importance of the opening game, but he believes the reaction from players and management ultimately defined their campaign.
“Obviously, you weren't looking at me in Croke Park last year. We were very disappointed because again, we knew how important that first game was. We’ve all been around teams before, you can't feel sorry for yourself, you have to go and react the right way. I think everyone, the backroom team and players, it was a real collective effort then for Antrim the following week. It had a real old school championship feel about it and both teams had to win and it was a big win.”
The manner in which Laois bounced back remains a source of pride for the manager, who believes his players showed tremendous character when their season was on the line.
“It was, the attitude of the lads that day was fantastic and you couldn't be but proud of them. We responded the right way, but we had to; if we didn't, we wouldn't be sitting here this evening, we wouldn't be looking forward to heading back to Croke Park.”
There are clear parallels with last year’s campaign, when Laois lost to eventual champions Kildare during the round-robin stage before suffering defeat to them again in the final. Fitzgerald believes experience can be a valuable teacher, though he knows there are no guarantees it will make the difference on Saturday.
“Every day you go out, I know it's an old cliché, every day is a school day, but you do learn. You learn from experience, you probably learn more from losses than you do from wins. The way we've gone about it all year is you look to see what can we learn from last year, how can we improve. We would have analysed that but again, that doesn't mean it translates to anything different next week either, but you're always trying to look for the extras and trying to improve most definitely.”
Selecting a starting team has not become any easier for Fitzgerald, who says the depth and commitment within the panel make team selection one of the toughest aspects of the job.
“Since we came in here two years ago that's been the case. I've no issue saying this, it’s definitely the hardest part of it. We've 35 fellas on the panel and they're all good lads and they all want to play for Laois. They all care about Laois, they come in here every night and they give their all and they go home and do all the right things off the pitch as well. There's great unity in the group as well and it's tough when you're telling lads they're not starting or, especially those outside the 26, it's even harder again. Everyone rows in behind it and everyone realises there's a greater common cause there as well. If you're number 34, 35 in the panel you're making a serious contribution to this team. That's what we're trying to engender and encourage. In fairness to lads, there's a real unity in the group and it's certainly standing to us at the moment.”
With another trip to Croke Park on the horizon, Fitzgerald also issued a rallying call to Laois supporters, urging them to travel in numbers and help the county chase a return to the top tier of Leinster hurling.
“We would, we've a meet and greet here this evening and you're trying to just encourage especially the younger generation to go up. I know we've been here the last year or two, but it does make a big difference. Laois over the years haven't won too many trophies in Croke Park. It's an opportunity to go up and support what the lads are doing and who we are and who we represent. I was a supporter before I came into this role, I'll be a supporter when I'm finished as well and anybody who cares about Laois, I'd encourage them to go up and just be part of the experience and try and help the lads get over the line.”
Having had the chance to oversee a full pre-season, Fitzgerald believes the additional planning time helped Laois' preparations, although he accepts results are ultimately what managers are judged on.
“You do learn along the way and we had the opportunity to put plans in place this year that we didn't previously. You think and you suspect it helps along the way, but ultimately, you're judged by results in this game and that's it. It definitely was helpful to have that planning time this year compared to last season, but in that respect, it definitely did help, yeah.”
And while all attention is now focused on Saturday afternoon in Croke Park, Fitzgerald finished the interview with a smile when discussing the scheduling clash that saw one of Laois’ games fall on the day of his daughter’s Communion. As he pointed out, sacrifices are part and parcel of life in the GAA.
“These things happen. Jack Kelly's sister got married the same day and Gearoid Lynch had an exam. That's all part of it isn’t it, you can't legislate for everything, but once you've the support of the home and the house behind you, you get through these things as well. We all come from good GAA families.”