Collier not overly concerned about Saturday’s defeat, it’s early days yet
The Laois camogie team suffered defeat to Meath on Saturday afternoon, their first loss since the Leinster final against Carlow in May 2025.
Speaking after the game, joint-manager Pat Collier praised Meath for their performance.
“I fancied this Meath team. Against Westmeath, they were brilliant and I think Westmeath are the best in this group, and they were able to beat them, now I know Westmeath had a few short.
“We started on the 1st of February, we played Derry short six or seven. We played Kerry and played well enough in Kerry. But today, it just showed the difference, Meath were hungrier, fitter, running off the shoulder, and I have no issues. I just said to Robert (Jones) there, it's no harm. This is the time of year to get a little run around, it's not a bit of harm. It shows the girls that they have to step it up a bit,” he said.
Laois now turn their attention to a clash against Carlow at Netwatch Cullen Park on Saturday, the same venue where they suffered Leinster final heartbreak last year.
Collier kept the mood light, joking that if the players can’t get motivated for a derby against a Carlow side that has beaten them the last two years, they might as well take up golf.
“We have Carlow next week, and Carlow are after beating us for the last two years. They beat us in the Leinster final last year and Carlow was the game in this group after Derry that we were pinpointing.
“As you see, we have five or six players missing today as well, but we'll have a good few of them back for Carlow now, and the Carlow game is the one we'll be targeting. If they're needing a gee up after that, they may take up golf,” Collier said.
Despite the setback, Laois remain well-placed in Division 2, having drawn with Kerry and defeated Derry in their opening games. Collier revealed that the team had been targeting the Carlow clash from the start and that a win on Saturday would guarantee their Division 2 safety.
“Look, the first two games we thought we'd probably lose, we had only two weeks' work done. There are a couple of girls there now, and they've only done their first few training sessions this week.
“As I said to the management there, no harm, you need a little wake-up call, and the Carlow game is the one we'll be gearing towards. If we win the Carlow game, we're safe from relegation, and that’s our goal in the league. If anything else happens, it's a bonus,” Collier concluded.
