'I’d question the integrity of the competition' - Laois hurling manager takes shot at Offaly after McDonagh Cup exit
Laois Senior Hurling manager Willie Maher took a shot at Offaly after his side's exit from the Joe McDonagh Cup at the weekend.
Laois exited the competition on Saturday evening as their victory over Kerry in Tralee wasn’t enough to seal their place in the McDonagh Cup final. Laois required an Offaly win over Carlow but that wasn’t forthcoming as Offaly fell to a 16-point defeat in Netwatch Cullen Park.
Laois manager Willie Maher reflected on the season as whole and his plans for the off-season as well as his thoughts on Offaly playing their second-string side against Carlow.
“Mixed emotions, the lads carried themselves so well coming down here today and putting on a performance like that. It’s great to win and everything else but it’s very disappointing what Offaly did. We recognised having been beaten by Offaly in the first match and drawing against Carlow in fairly controversial circumstances, we knew it was out of our hands but I’d question the integrity of the competition. The team that tops the group plays 12 new players for the final game. It’s just very disappointing.”, Maher said.
Maher was questioned as to whether he would have done the same thing had Laois already been qualified for the final like Offaly had been before their game in Carlow.
“No, I wouldn’t, it’s as simple as that. I don’t believe in that. It was Offaly’s decision and they’re in the McDonagh Cup final and more power to them. It’s disappointing all-round and our lads gave us everything today, their attitude was spot-on. We recognised that we had a match to win today, which they did and they played well. We’ve 35 guys on the panel who want to play for Laois and that’s a real positive.”, Maher added.
Laois had been in full control of their destiny following their loss against Offaly, however the draw against Carlow meant that their faith was now taken out of their hands.
“We didn’t score for 15 minutes against Carlow, they drew level and then we got three more points in injury time to push us clear. We had a fairly frank meeting after the Offaly game and ironed a good few bits. We just want honesty from the group and they’ve given us everything since so that’s positive. We couldn’t ask for anything more, a big result for us and it’s a pity it didn’t matter in the end.”, Maher said.