Still plenty of room for improvement - McNulty

LAOIS senior football manager Justin McNulty admitted his side had plenty of room for improvement, despite easing to a comfortable victory in their opening Tailteann Cup fixture against Waterford on Saturday.

“I think we did ultimately win at a canter. It wasn't as free-flowing as we would have liked. The standard of play wasn't what we would expect of ourselves, but we have had a month's gap without a game. I guess it was a bit of a tentative performance, played in fits and starts, but we did what we had to do and we're up and running in the Tailteann.

“We're now focusing on one thing, and that's next week against Wicklow, who will have an axe to grind after what happened last year down in Aughrim. We know we have to really improve our performance across the board. Otherwise, we're on a hiding to nothing going down there,” he said.

McNulty was encouraged by the contribution of some of the lesser-used members of the panel, as Laois were forced to dip into their squad.

“We had four or five players on the pitch today who haven't had consistent game-time, debutants so that's very positive and encouraging. Enforced, partially, because of injuries and other issues, but none of those guys looked out of place. That's hugely encouraging.

“We said we're going to have to go to our squad this year, and we certainly have been doing that. We've been very encouraged by the performance of the lads who have come in. We also know that as a team, we weren't good enough today. It wasn't the standard we expected of ourselves, and we need to be better.” One of Laois’ brightest performers was Cathal Lee, who finished as the side’s top scorer.

“He could have had two goals on top of that, he'll be kicking himself that he didn't hit the net. But he's a sharpshooter, and that's a strong option for us for sure,” the Laois manager said.

However, not all the news was positive, with sharp-shooter Mark Barry having to be withdrawn at half-time.

“Hamstring, it's a concern. We just took him out as a precaution. Hopefully it's nothing too serious, but it’s too early to say,” said McNulty.

There was better news on Danny O’Reilly, who looks set to return for next weekend’s clash in Aughrim.

“Dicey’s coming good. He trained this morning, so he'll be all right for next week,” McNulty confirmed.

Another boost came from the bench in the form of Killeshin forward Michael Doran, who chipped in with two points on his Tailteann Cup debut, having only recently joined the panel.

“He looked a natural and didn't look out of place. He got two good points as well. He looks like he's a very athletic, well-honed footballer, and hopefully he'll be competing for a starting place next week.” McNulty acknowledged the challenges of the Tailteann Cup and stressed the importance of treating every fixture with full focus, regardless of the opposition's reputation or recent form.

“We're in the Tailteann and we don't necessarily like that but it is what it is. We've got to prepare for every game and you've got to prepare for every opposition and if you don't they can bite you in the ass.

Thankfully, the guys were effective in terms of dispatching of Waterford today, who did show signs of having something to offer. With their issues, they have a lot of injury issues as well and departures. They've struggled, so it was a hiding to nothing game for us. It was a banana-skin game, but the guys still went and did what they had to do. Maybe not as efficiently, as fluidly, as ruthlessly and clinically as it could have been, but we still got out of here with the points.” With Wicklow waiting in Round 2, McNulty expects a major step up will be required.

“The standard of our performance today wasn't anywhere where it should have been, and what we expect of each other as a team. We know we've got to be a hell of a lot better across the board for a ding-dong battle in Aughrim next Saturday,” he ended.