Laois struggled to an opening day win in league action on Sunday.
Heavy training and university competition left Laois drained ahead of their meeting with Down last weekend, according to the OP'Moore County's manager.
Despite leading by seven points at the break, Laois were reeled in by Down in second half, with the Ulster side trailing by just one when Willie Dunphy was given a straight red card in the 56th minute.
Five minutes later it was 14 v 14, after Mark Fisher was given his marching orders.
Down did get the game level with five minutes of normal time left on the clock but a Mark Dowling goal sent Laois on their way to an opening Division 2A victory.
Laois eventually ran out 7 point winners on a final scoreline of 2-18 to 0-17.
Willie Maher tells Midlands 103's Jack Nolan he was hoping for a better performance but isn't surprised at his players' struggles on Sunday:
Westmeath Family Into Final Of Ireland's Fittest Family
Athlone Town Learn Fixtures For New League Of Ireland Season
Isabel Ryan And Alexis Stickland To Continue With Athlone Town In 2026
Our Defending Starts From 1 to 15 - Kirsten Keenan
Sallins Prove Too Strong For Tubberclair In Leinster Decider
Portlaoise Panthers Suffer Defeat In Women's Super League
Leinster Overcome Leicester Tigers With Strong Second Half Performance
Medals Secured For Ireland At European Cross Country Championships
All Ireland Glory Achieved By Camross
Dublin Lions End Portlaoise Panthers' Perfect Home Record
Success For Camross But Heartbreak For Tubberclair
Portlaoise Panthers Back In Super League Action This Weekend
Camross Name Tomas Burke As New Hurling Manager
Midlands Stars Set For European Cross Country Championships
Laois U20 Hurler And Footballer Of The Year Revealed
Camross Has Nothing To Lose This Weekend - Arien Delaney
Robbie Henshaw Named To Start For Leinster's Champions Cup Clash
Leinster Glory The Target For Tubberclair This Weekend
Portlaoise Panthers Aiming To End Losing Streak
Camross Getting Set For All Ireland Final