Laois off the leash as they take on Offaly
EVAN O’Carroll’s senior inter-county entrance, at just 17 years of age, back in 2013, was an eye-opener.
Current Laois boss Justin McNulty was in his first stint as O’Moore County manager when he threw O’Carroll in at the deep end against Wexford in a Round 3 qualifier.
O’Carroll didn’t score, but his current Laois coach, Ross Munnelly, did, hitting eight points, including four from play.
Crettyard star O’Carroll, now 28, went on to play against All-Ireland champions Donegal in a Round 4 tie at Carrick-on-Shannon, where Laois lost out by 0-14 to 0-8
O’Carroll recalls the Donegal game: “It was physical, yeah. I don’t think I lasted too long on the field. I think it was 25 minutes. I got taken off.
“I do remember the couple of hits that I got. It was extremely physical and it was an eye opener to what senior (county) football is.”
Stint
This is the first year of McNulty’s second stint in charge, with the SDLP MLA riding out pressure from his party to continue in both roles.
“Justin has shown incredible commitment to us this year and thankfully we repaid that to him (winning the Division 4 title).
“Justin has great experience — a really good man manager. He’s brought a really good setup with him, with his coaches.
“I think they’re after getting a massive buy-in from the players and it’s been really positive so far.”
O’Carroll says Laois came into this season “hungry to right the wrongs of last year”.
They included missing promotion out of Division 4 and a 8-16 to 2-12 Tailteann Cup semi-final hammering by Down at Croke Park.
“We know last year was disappointing and a really tough one to take but there’s new lads in and it was an opportunity for the panel this year to right the wrongs of last year.”
Long-term, O’Carroll says Laois want to reach Division 2, but the focus today is the Leinster SFC clash with Offaly.
“You go from winning a match against Leitrim to turning your focus straight away to Offaly.
“That’s going to be a massive battle against Offaly, a good Division 3 team. We’re going to be up against it.”