McNulty hopeful Byrne’s red card can be overturned

Laois were beaten for the second time in this year’s Allianz Football League Division 3 as Clare had three points to spare when the final hooter sounded in Ennis on Sunday.

Laois manager Justin McNulty spoke of Laois’ disappointment in defeat, even though they played with a player fewer from the 22nd minute onwards.

“There's a huge disappointment in the dressing room. The lads are devastated, they’re gutted because they put their bodies and souls into that performance. We asked them to show manliness, and by hell did they show manliness, especially in that second half.

“Bitterly disappointed, it's a game we could have and maybe should won, but we have to go up the road now with zero points. That's very hard for the fellas to take, given what they put into it. They put so much into it, players and management,” he said.

It was Laois captain Brian Byrne who received his marching orders from Galway official James Molloy after consultation with his linesman. McNulty admitted he has seen the footage and is hopeful Byrne might have his red card overturned.

“I've seen the tape, I've seen the video, and it looks innocuous enough. I do think there might have been an accidental collision, purely accidental, and that's not a red card offence in anyone’s book. I hope that can be reviewed, rectified and corrected because Brian Byrne does not have a dirty bone in his body. He plays the game tough and hard, but he plays by the rules. It was tough, a big blow to the team, but the fellas to their credit, dug in and didn't let that derail them,” McNulty said.

Laois made two changes at half-time as youngsters Jake Darcy and Darren Brennan were introduced. McNulty gave an indication as to why the pair were brought on.

“They made a big impact. They obviously have pace abound, and it was probably what we needed. The lads weren't doing anything wrong; the boys we took off. We just wanted more pace on the pitch, and they demonstrated that they have that. They gave us a big lift,” he added.

For the second week in a row, Laois sharpshooter Evan O’Carroll stepped up from the penalty spot but saw his effort saved, having hit the post against Sligo the previous week. O’Carroll otherwise impressed and finished with 1-5 to his name. He also narrowly missed a close-range free that would have levelled the sides in the 69th minute. McNulty reserved strong praise for his number 14.

“Evan's a winner, and of course, he's devastated. He's carried this team on his back for years. He’s not a one-man show by any means, but Jesus Christ, has he been a big performer for Laois for well over a decade. To come back from the injury that he had to experience was enormous, and for the performances he's given this year.

“We know Evan is a vital, vital player for Laois. We know he'll bounce back, and the strength of the character the man has is phenomenal. He's very, very disappointed, of course he is, that's natural and normal, and so is the whole group. There's a bit of processing time around this performance and this result, but there's no doubt it can be a spark to bigger things to come,” McNulty said.

There was a 10-minute spell in the second half during which both sides were reduced to 14 players after Clare’s Cillian Brennan was shown a black card following the incident that led to O’Carroll’s penalty. During that period, Laois turned a two-point deficit into a three-point lead, with McNulty later describing the closing stages as ‘helter skelter’.

“I think the second half performance, in general, was immense. Before it was 14 on 14, our players were showing huge fight, huge manliness. It then did get into a bit of helter-skelter. There were a few turnovers that were unnecessary from both sides, but I think the thing that was most pleasing for us as a coaching and management team was the effort and the fight demonstrated by our guys. Jesus Christ, they were warriors.

“They died with their boots on out on the pitch; it was phenomenal. If they bring that week in, week out, that's never a guarantee. You've got to fight to make that happen in the preparation during the week, and then bring it on the day. You have to take your hat off to the players for doing that and showing that, showing their character, putting their hearts and souls and putting their bodies on the line like our players did in the second half, which was phenomenal, and very, very inspiring.

“It’s a performance they should be proud of. We're hugely disappointed in the result, of course, but the performance you have to take huge confidence from. The boys were hugely determined and passionate about giving a performance, and they did that,” he said.

Laois now have six days to regroup before taking on Westmeath, the side that hammered them in last year’s Tailteann Cup, a result that brought their 2025 campaign to an end.

“Westmeath turned us over big style last year in the Championship; they beat us by 14 points. We know they're a great team and they're well-managed and well-coached, and we know we're really up against it. We know we've got to be a lot better than we were today, and we know how tough it's going to be. We're excited about that possibility, we're excited that the battle is coming and we're looking forward to it,” McNulty concluded.