McGrath reflects on disappointing Laois exit 

A DEJECTED Dave McGrath spoke to the Laois Nationalist following Laois’s Leinster Minor Football Championship exit at the hands of Meath on Tuesday night, cutting a disappointed and reflective figure after a night that never truly went to plan.

The game’s defining moments came early, as Laois were rocked by two quick goals from a sharp Meath side, blows from which they never recovered. McGrath acknowledged the damage done in that opening spell.

“It was so disappointing is the overriding emotion after a result like that. The effort the lads put in all year didn’t deserve to be on the end of a result like this and definitely deserved more than that.

“We had a very bad start conceding two early goals which we never recovered on to be honest. The heads kind of dropped after the second goal and it was an uphill task after that moment.” 

From there, Laois struggled to impose themselves, unable to find the rhythm or intensity that they needed to get back into the game and be competitive.

“Unfortunately, we weren’t able to play with the tempo we hoped to play but fair play to Meath—they were very good on the night and deserved the win, “We never really got going or settled into the game. Meath just brought a higher intensity, and we found it difficult to cope with.” 

The manager pointed to that contrast in tempo and sharpness as the key difference between the sides.

“Meath got a foothold in the game early on and they never let us back in. They were playing with a much higher tempo than we did and that was the difference. The two early goals gave them that impetus and unfortunately, we weren’t able to match them," he said.

For McGrath and his panel, the defeat marks another early exit from Leinster, a source of clear frustration. Despite the result, McGrath was quick to highlight the commitment and development shown by his squad throughout the season.

“It is fierce disappointing to exit the Leinster championship again. The lads were very competitive at the start of the year but unfortunately it didn’t turn out as we planned at the start of the season and there isn’t much, I can say really, just devastated for the lads.

“The work the lads have put in is the biggest positive of the year so far. We cannot fault them for commitment or effort. Individually, they are a very good group of players. They are a great group of footballers but unfortunately, we weren’t able to combine it as a team this year.” 

He remains confident that many of this group will have a bright future in Laois football with attentions will now turn to Tier 3 after the players go back to their clubs for a brief spell.

“Going forward individually, they have developed a lot in the last two years we have had them and there are a lot of lads that will contribute to Laois football in years to come.

“We will give the lads a few weeks to go back and play with their clubs and we will come back to it after that and regroup. We will come back in and give it our best shot in Tier 3 and they will give full commitment again.

“We will give Tier 3 a right go and try to do our best to finish off the season on a positive note.”