Fitzgerald happy that the players displayed the ‘drive and heart’ missing against Carlow

LAOIS boss Tommy Fitzgerald was pleased with his side after a much improved performance saw them overcome Antrim by seven points in Laois Hire O’Moore Park on Saturday.

His team suffered a blow early in the campaign when they lost out to Carlow in the opening round and Fitzgerald was pleased with his players’ reaction on Saturday.

“We were all disappointed leaving Carlow last Saturday and it was a tough week,” said Fitzgerald.

“There were some questions asked and everything else. It was put up to the lads and in fairness they stood up and we all took responsibility for the performance.

“The most pleasing thing was the bit of fight in us and you could see how much it means to play for Laois for these lads and I’m so proud of the effort there today.

“They got the job done, we were a lot better, it wasn’t perfect and we should’ve been further ahead at times but I’m terribly proud of the effort, spirit and the fight that was shown.” Fitzgerald made some big changes for the Antrim game and they proved to be justified.

“They work when you win,” he joked. “If you lose then you’re the worst so and so in the world and you haven’t a clue.

“Every day we look at it and we think what’s the best team to win on a given day and who’s performing well and how the opposition will set up and how we’ll set up ourselves to counter.

“It all depends on the result, if it works out they’re great moves and if it doesn’t then it’s not and that’s sport.” The main aspect of the victory that pleased Fitzgerald was the effort put in by his players.

“The bit of drive and heart, that was the most disappointing last week that we felt Carlow outworked us,” stated the Laois boss.

“We looked at the stats and that was evident and you can prepare all you want and some days it goes for you and some days it doesn’t, but one thing you can guarantee is your work rate.

“We asked for massive effort and guts and to just empty yourselves and the lads did that.

“Not everyone had a great game and there’ll be some lads disappointed with their performance but you couldn’t question their desire and honesty there this evening.” Laois have one win from their two opening games against arguably the toughest opposition in the competition but Fitzgerald is still wary of the challenges ahead.

“You see Down beating Antrim last week, that’s thrown everything up in the air,” he said.

“We’ve to go to Westmeath in two weeks and over the last 10 or 15 years we’ve struggled there, particularly in the Joe McDonagh.

“It’s two points on the board, but we can’t afford anymore slipups.

“We have to refocus and park this evening and we got to a certain level today, but if we don’t get to that level in two weeks we’re out of the competition.

“You can’t rest on your laurels, we have to ensure that we keep our levels.

“They’re tough games and if you’re a little bit off it you’ll be punished.” Fitzgerald concluded by giving an update on the status of the players out injured at the minute.

“We’re hopeful Diarmaid (Conway) will be fit the next day, it’ll be tight but he’ll have a chance. It’s doubtful we’ll see Cody (Comerford) for a while and Westmeath might come too soon for Jordan (Walshe).”