HE’S NOT INTERESTED in moral victories but Laois boss Seamus ‘Cheddar’ Plunkett was still encouraged by the gutsy manner in which his side performed before losing in yesterday’s Leinster semi-final against Galway.
Laois lost out at the finish in O’Moore Park by seven points but they produced a remarkable battling performance and indeed were in front with 13 minutes remaining when Tommy Fitzgerald found the net.
Galway pulled clear in the finale thanks to late goals from Davy Glennon and Aonghus Callanan but Plunkett believes there is a lot that his side can build on as they attempt to make progress.
“I’m not interested in moral victories or anything like that. I wouldn’t say what I have been saying about this county if I didn’t think we were going to win matches.
“That would be very loose and false talk. It would be the wrong talk to give to these players, these players deserve more than that. It’s important to bear in mind we are only building and developing a team here.
“Along that journey we’re going to be playing some Tier One counties. We’ve got to face them down, really have a go at them. That’s what we’re gonna do. We’ll learn a lot of things as we go along. In a year’s time or so, we’ll be a competitive team.”
Aonghus Callanan of Galway with Darren Maher of Laois
Pic: INPHO/Donall Farmer
Galway
His opposite number Anthony Cunningham insisted that Galway were always expecting a tight and tense battle at O’Moore Park.
Galway were relieved to escape from the midlands but Cunningham felt that Seamus ‘Cheddar’ Plunkett’s side would be primed to take a scalp.
“We were expecting that. Laois have been going very well this year. We were a bit rusty. We would be happy with how we finished but there is a lot of room for improvement. Laois were very good, very gutsy, their tackling and their workrate, they took some great scores from out the field.
“It’s great for hurling to see Laois back playing like that. That game will sharpen us up a lot. I’d like to congratulate Laois on the year they are after having so far – long may it continue,” was Cunningham’s verdict.
The Laois ploy of flooding their defence with bodies frustrated Galway according to Cunningham.
“When they pulled back so many players, it made it quite difficult especially with the strong breeze that was there. We talked about being a bit smarter. Our use of the ball wasn’t as good as it might have been.
“It’s great to get a game like that. Last year we got a few easy games. This should bring on the guys a huge amount which is what we want.”
