Lalor highlights value of amalgamation following title success

MOUNTMELLICK Parish Gaels manager Gordon Lalor was delighted with his side’s efforts after they were crowned Laois U/17 Football champions on Sunday.

The amalgamation of Mountmellick, The Rock and Kilcavan produced a strong display to defeat Na Fianna Óg by double scores, 5-11 to 2-7, and claim the county title.

Mountmellick Parish Gaels had already shown their potential throughout the campaign and Lalor was delighted to see the hard work put in by the players rewarded with silverware.

“It’s a brilliant feeling. We worked hard there this year. These boys have come through U/13 and U/15, being very competitive. We felt that we wouldn’t be too far away. We put in a huge amount of work at the start of the year, and it’s paid off. I’m delighted,” said Lalor.

Mountmellick Parish Gaels led by six points at half-time after playing with the aid of the wind, but Lalor knew they would have to produce another strong performance after the break against a talented Na Fianna Óg side.

“No, not against a very good team like Na Fianna Og. They have excellent players around the field. We tried to close down their better players, their two-point threats. In the second half, we held them out, and it was a great win in the end,” he said.

Na Fianna Óg threatened at different stages, but Mountmellick Parish Gaels always seemed to have an answer and continued to find scores at the other end.

Lalor was pleased with the way his team stuck to their game plan and moved the ball quickly throughout the contest.

“With our team, we work on moving that ball quickly all the time, whether we’re against the wind or with the wind. We try to get it into our inside forwards as quickly as possible and it worked for us today. Other days it might not work, but I’m delighted it went for us today,” he explained.

With some of the players now set to make the step up to adult football with their respective clubs, Lalor believes the experience of winning a county final will stand to them as they begin that next stage of their careers.

He also highlighted the benefit of the parish amalgamation in allowing players from the three clubs to compete together at the highest level.

“They will, indeed, and the great thing about the parish team is that it allows everyone to play at the highest level. That’s the most important thing. These lads now have the experience of playing on county final day, which they’ll always remember and they’ll bring it back to their clubs anyway,” he concluded.