Dooley is growing into the captain’s role and loving every minute of it

DAVID Dooley admits he’s still adjusting to life as captain of the Laois senior hurlers, but the Rosenallis man is embracing the challenge as he prepares to lead his county into Saturday’s Joe McDonagh Cup opener against Westmeath.

Having only made his debut at this level last year, he was a surprise choice to wear the armband in 2025. But while he concedes the role didn’t come naturally at first, he’s gradually grown into it.

“It's a different role, alright, this year than I had last year, but it's something I'm probably getting more comfortable doing. It was something a bit alien, maybe at the start, but I'm gradually finding my feet. I'm just doing my best in any way I can to support the lads. Obviously, you have to support yourself and get yourself right first and foremost, but anyway I can, I try and help the lads out,” he said Despite his inexperience, Dooley is flanked by some of the most seasoned hurlers in the Laois dressing room, including former captains Cha Dwyer and Aidan Corby. Their presence has helped ease the pressure and allowed him to focus on leading by example.

“Hugely experienced lads here. The likes of Cha and Aidan as vice-captains there. To be honest, I let a lot of the other lads do a lot of the talking. I probably wouldn't be the biggest talker in the team, but I try to add value where I can. If I feel there's something to be said, I try to say it anyway. The lads have great experience in their role, and I'm lucky to have them by my side,” Dooley said.

Dooley’s performances on the pitch have helped justify his leadership role. Known for his tireless work ethic, he says that no matter how a game is going, he always focuses on the effort areas that are in his control.

“I think one thing you can always control is your work and your work rate. Going out, if you're not getting on the ball, if you're not involved in the game, you can always up your work rate, and you can up your tackle rate. It's something you can control.

It's something I probably make a conscious effort of doing. It's something I enjoy too. It's not the easiest thing at times, but no, I enjoy it, and I do my best in any way I can to help the team. I feel that's a role that I'm quite good at. It's something I probably target going into games,” he said.

This season has also seen Dooley move into midfield after previously lining out at wing-forward. While the role comes with more involvement in the play, he says it’s not a drastic departure from his previous position.

“There are similarities there. Wing-forward, it's nearly a tankless job at times. It's up and down the line, and it’s tough going. As a midfielder, you link the play a bit more, maybe.

There are definitely similarities to it, but I'm enjoying it there. I think it's suited me well enough so far this year,” Dooley added.

Saturday’s game will mark Dooley’s first time captaining Laois in championship hurling, and he admits the magnitude of the occasion hasn’t fully sunk in just yet.

“Absolutely massive, yeah. I haven't really thought about it too much yet. I'm sure it'll probably only hit when it's actually happening or probably afterwards, to be honest. I said at the start of the year to the lads when I was captain that it's not something I really envision myself as a captain. I probably didn't see myself as that sort of a leader at times, but I'm hugely honoured and grateful to the lads for putting the trust in me. Hopefully we can get a result at the weekend. That's the main thing,” he said.

Laois enter this year’s Joe McDonagh Cup looking to make amends for a league campaign that ended in relegation from Division 1B – despite picking up their sole win away to Westmeath. Dooley is expecting a tough battle again this weekend and says the players are fully focused on making a fresh start.

“A huge amount of work. We know Westmeath are going to be gunning for us now, like we are them. It's obviously disappointing the way the league finished up, but it's a clean slate now. We just have to regroup and go again. It's a challenge that we're really looking forward to. The lads all seem very up for it anyway this week, so we’ll just keep building throughout the week and do everything you can to prepare in the right way and put our best foot forward for Saturday,” Dooley ended.