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'Everyone Has To Get A Fair Crack Of The Whip' | Laois Set For O'Byrne Cup Final

Friday, 21 January 2022 15:08

Photo Credit: Raymond Commins

A host of their 21 new players have a shown up well thus far.

Laois are hoping to continue a remarkable turnaround in form this afternoon. 

They've made two changes from a midweek win over Kildare as Danny Bolger replaces shootout hero Matthew Byron and Mark Barry comes in for the experienced Ross Munnelly in attack. 

It's the fewest number of changes they've made to a team during the competition thus far and potentially a sign that Billy Sheehan is coming closer to landing on his first choice team ahead of a meeting with Louth in the Allianz National League. 

Every player will have at least 40 minutes game time under their belt by the close of play today and that is arguably more important that the result.

This is the reasoning behind the switch in goals and expected a lot of subs to be introduced early in the second period too, regardless of the scoreline.

Laois selector Chris Conway is looking forward to their new look squad being tested at the highest level:

Yeah, that's the big thing I suppose I'm going into the league. This will be our fifth match in in the two-week period, you know and at the same time after that first match below in Wexford, and when things suddenly didn't go our way, most Laois people probably wouldn’t have expected us to be in an O’Byrne Cup final facing Dublin so we would gladly take it. 

Yeah, they're working well together, and the big thing was to get game time into the full squad, give them all their chance and fair crack of the whip and try and develop some patterns and a style of play whilst at that.  

I suppose, look, we have picked up a few injuries in the squad and we’d be hoping obviously not to pick up any more on Saturday and the focus will switch then to Louth.  

No different to most teams so far, we have been focusing on one game at a time, one session at a time. 

It’s been no different his week with the matches coming taken fast, but that's what players enjoy as well. 

Throw-in is at 3pm. Updates on Midlands103. 

Laois XV:

  1. Danny Bolger (Graiguecullen)
  2. James Kelly (St Joseph’s)
  3. Trevor Collins (Graiguecullen)
  4. Alex Mohan (Portarlington)
  5. Sean O’Flynn (Courtwood)
  6. John O’Loughlin (Rosenallis)
  7. Gareth Dillon (Portlaoise)
  8. Kieran Lillis (Portlaoise)
  9. James Finn (Ballyfin)
  10. Brian Byrne (Graiguecullen)
  11. Eoin Lowry (Killeshin)
  12. Paddy O’Sullivan (Portarlington)
  13. Mark Barry (O’Dempsey’s)
  14. Evan O’Carroll (Crettyard)
  15. Sean Moore (Ballyfin)

 

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