Fitzgerald content with result but overall performance needs to improve

LAOIS senior hurling manager Tommy Fitzgerald was a content man following his side’s 3-25 to 1-22 victory over Westmeath in the opening round of the Joe McDonagh Cup. While not perfect, it was the ideal start.

“Happy with the result, more than anything, to be honest. There's always a lot of pressure in the first game of the Joe McDonagh Cup because if you lose, you're on the back foot straight away. We didn't speak much about it, but I suppose everybody understood that, so there was a good bit of pressure coming in today. Just very happy to come out with the win. Lots to improve on, though. It was scrappy at times, we were in and out of the game at times, but very happy with the result,” he said The Laois boss admitted his side made a slow start to the game, trailing 0-5 to 0-3 after 20 minutes.

“We were poor for the first 15 to 20 minutes, there's no point in saying it differently. We looked jittery, we looked a bit nervous to be honest. It was very low-scoring, and I think we only had three or four points after 15, 16, 17 minutes, but that last 15 minutes of the first half were crucial. We went up a couple of gears, and we got a couple of really good scores. Our standards definitely rose in the second quarter of the first half and the second half,” Fitzgerald said.

Fitzgerald was particularly pleased with how his half-back line, led by Podge Delaney, helped steady the ship.

“The half-backs were very good under the Westmeath puck-outs. Podge Delaney is after missing a couple of weeks of training. He stepped back in today. I thought he was immense, so I'm delighted for him and a few others as well who really stood up today,” he added.

He attributed Laois’s shaky opening quarter to nerves, poor conditions and some anxious decision-making.

“It just wasn't happening. Maybe we just looked a bit anxious, and we lacked a little bit of composure in the first 15 minutes. First round of the championship, everyone was really eager. Slippy ball as well, you have to consider that and get used to conditions, but after that, I thought they settled in well and we caused some trouble inside at times,” Fitzgerald said.

A key turning point came when Laois struck for their first goal, a Mossy Keyes screamer after Lee Cleere’s heroic defending at the other end.

“It’s the old adage, isn't it, goals win games. It was a six-point swing. Lee did really well to get back and hook Niall Mitchell, and straight from the turnover, we went down the field and Mossy stuck it in the top corner. Look, it was a massive moment and a six-point swing,” he commented.

On Keyes’ overall performance, Fitzgerald was full of praise.

“He's just a great bit of stuff. He's just an outrageous talent really, and he's really hard working as well. He has a great attitude, so I'm delighted for him now,” he said.

Ben Conroy also earned special mention after a two-goal display.

“Again, just on a personal level, I’m really delighted for Ben because he was struggling to get into the team and making the 26 at times throughout the league. He was probably getting frustrated, and a few others as well, getting the same way, but he stuck to the task. He's worked so hard in training, and his form has been really good the last three weeks. He got his reward, and I'm delighted to see him take his opportunity today,” Fitzgerald added.

After a tough league campaign, Fitzgerald hopes this win will inject some much-needed belief.

“The league was difficult, but it was a very competitive league. There were no soft matches or handy matches, and I thought maybe the results didn't show it, but we had been making steady progress, we felt, in the background. We were quite confident coming in today. I thought preparations had gone well but you don't know until you go out there. To get the win and to win by a few points, you'd be hoping that it gives us confidence to kick on. But we know what we're facing next week up in Ballycran in a tight field,” he noted.

Looking ahead, Fitzgerald knows a tricky trip to Ballycran awaits.

“It’ll be a tough trip. Down at home are a different team to the Down team that plays away. It’s a really tricky, tricky game in seven days’ time, so we just have to be ready physically and mentally for that,” he remarked.

On squad depth and injuries, Fitzgerald was honest but hopeful.

“There's genuine competition for places there. We had 31 players used in the league, and the job we had to do to pick 26 for today, even some really good and experienced lads were left off the 26. That was a hard, hard job. But we brought in five lads. We do have genuine competition and strength in depth, which is pleasing. You'd be hoping it helps and it is, I think, helping drive standards. But it keeps everyone on their toes as well.

“Jordan (Walshe), it looks like a hamstring, so we'll have to see in a couple of days to see where he's at. I don't know at the moment, to be honest with you. Aaron (Dunphy), next week's going to come too soon for him as well, possibly round three. We'll be hoping there's a week's gap in between the games there. Willie's fit. Willie's going well actually, so he'll be back in contention for next week again,” Fitzgerald ended.