A season that promised much ended in disappointment

FOR Laois supporters, there was an all-too-familiar feeling as the final whistle sounded in Laois Hire O'Moore Park on Saturday afternoon. Once again, Down had ended the county's championship hopes. Once again, a season that promised much concluded with disappointment.

This was supposed to be an opportunity for redemption. A repeat of 2024 Tailteann Cup final offered Laois the chance to settle a score against the team that denied them silverware in Croke Park. Instead, the script remained unchanged. Down have now eliminated Laois from the championship three times in the last four years and have become, beyond any doubt, the county's modern-day bogey team.

The frustrating aspect for Laois supporters is that this was a game played on home soil, in ideal footballing conditions, and with a place in the Tailteann Cup semi-final at stake. Yet after a competitive opening, the hosts simply could not cope with Down's power, pace and efficiency. The visitors' devastating first-half spell, which yielded 1-5 without reply, effectively dictated the outcome and left Laois chasing the game for the remainder of the afternoon.

There were positives in patches. Evan O'Carroll once again shouldered much of the scoring responsibility, while Pa Kirwan produced moments of quality, including a valuable two-pointer. But the reality is that the gap between the sides was evident. Down looked sharper, more clinical and more assured throughout.

The result inevitably raises questions about the future. Justin McNulty's three-year term as manager has now come to an end and this defeat could prove to be his final game in charge. If that is the case, his tenure deserves a fair assessment. He guided Laois to promotion and a Tailteann Cup final in 2024 and helped stabilise a team that had endured difficult years. However, championship management is ultimately judged on progression and silverware, and another early summer exit leaves a sense of unfinished business.

What happens next will be one of the biggest decisions facing Laois GAA. The foundations of a competitive side are there, but the county appears stuck between promise and fulfilment. The challenge for whoever leads this group next be it Justin or someone else, will be finding a way to bridge that gap.

For now, though, there is only disappointment. Another championship campaign has ended, another opportunity has slipped away, and once again it is Down who have delivered the final blow.