‘We got the start we wanted’ - Fitzgerald

WITH two wins on the board from their opening two Joe McDonagh Cup games Laois manager Tommy Fitzgerald was a happy man on Saturday afternoon after the contest against Down.

Fitzgerald reckoned the quick start his side got to the game was crucial as Ben Conroy and Cha Dwyer each netted in the opening couple of minutes.

“We got the start we wanted with two goals in the first couple of minutes so that really settled us,” he said.

“It was probably more comfortable than we thought it was going to be, we’ve looked at their results up here the last couple of years and they’ve been very competitive, but the game got away from them early enough and was probably over as a contest earlier than we thought it would be.

“We’re very happy obviously as that’s two out of two now and that puts us in a decent position to drive on.” It was a new experience for most in the Laois camp as they faced into McKenna Park in Ballycran after the arduous journey.

Speaking on that Fitzgerald said, “None of us had ever been up here before in Ballycran, so it was hard to even visualize what we were facing.

“We arrived and there was wind and rain, it’s a decent pitch and a decent sod, but it was all about the start and we got the start so we’re happy and relieved to be heading down the road with four points on the board now.” Laois were well out of sight by half time as they led by 21 points and Down were reduced to 14 men and they didn’t let up on the scoring in the second half, but Fitzgerald claims his side still have areas to improve.

“When you win by that much it’s hard to be critical but we were sloppy at times and we gave away a sloppy goal before half time and left a few behind us,” he said.

“At this level against other teams we probably won’t get away with that and I know we won well but there’s definitely areas to get better.

“We brought five subs in again today and if there was a rule where you could bring in more we’d have brought in more so it’s good for the panel that way as well.” Tom Cuddy was forced off with an injury after Caolan Taggart was red carded for a shoulder into the chest and head of the Laois man, but thankfully Cuddy wasn’t too badly hurt from the collision.

“There was initial concern to his condition but the doctor was there on hand and the head is okay which is absolutely the main thing, he’s sore elsewhere but long term I don’t think we’re too worried.

“The main thing was when he went down like that and got the blow where he got the blow was that his head was okay and there was no concussion.” Laois have no match this weekend before facing into a strenuous period of three matches in consecutive weekends as the Joe McDonagh Cup will really burst into life.

“We’re glad of the week off at this stage and the lads could probably do with it, we won’t go hard this week either and it’s about picking our sessions and maybe not doing as many but keep the standards high.

“It’s three games in three weeks an ultimately we have to go and get at least two wins from that to get us to a final and that’s the aim,” he finished.