Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
The certainty that Laois would get back for another big day out at Croker is what gave Munnelly the strength to keep ploughing on
ROSS MUNNELLY insists he had no doubt that Laois would return to a Leinster final as the O’moore County veteran prepares for their first provincial decider in 11 years.
Munnelly, 35, kicked two points for Laois last Sunday as they defeated Carlow to book a date against Dublin on June 24.
The Arles/kilcruise clubman featured in the county’s last appearance in a Leinster final back in 2007.
And he has played in every one of their provincial final appearances since their last success under Mick O’dwyer back in 2003.
Asked whether he thought another big day was beyond him, Munnelly said: “Not at all. I never thought like that.
“I always tried to get a bit of work done to stick playing with Laois.
“I was rowing in behind every different set-up, to keep going, keep striving.
“And eventually things turned and we are now back to Croke Park for a Leinster final and it is going to be a tough, tough day out for us.”
Munnelly is clearly under no illusions about the task at hand ahead of their clash with All-ireland champs
Dublin.
But he believes
John Sugrue’s
(right) panel are in a good place following provincial wins over Wexford, Westmeath and Carlow.
And 16 years on from his senior Championship debut, the O’moores stalwart has been inspired by his younger county colleagues.
Munnelly said: “I am just enjoying the youth in the set-up and lads driving each other on, driving lads like me on who are that little bit older.
“You are always trying to find a new level and a new place to go, a new angle to do something a little bit better and you are forced to do that because the speed of these lads coming behind.
“That is what keeps driving us on and we will keep going for as long as we can this summer.”
Ahead of their meeting with the Dubs – who Munnelly famously helped to upset back in 2003 – the Laois forward is content that they are gradually building momentum. He said: “We are also conscious that we are coming from such a low base.
“We had to work our way through Division 4 and we had a couple of tough days in it, a couple of games which went right down to the wire.
“There was only a kick of the ball between ourselves and Carlow.
“While we are finding our rhythm a bit, we are also conscious there are far bigger tests ahead.”