Laois forward Evan O'Carroll pictured at the launch of the Tailteann Cup. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
By Cian O’Connell
Evan O’Carroll remains optimistic. Laois’ captain is more than a decade on the inter-county beat, but his passion for Gaelic Football endures.
The Allianz Football League Division Four title was an important success for Justin McNulty’s outfit. Since then, Offaly have defeated Laois in Leinster, while Carlow staged a dramatic late comeback to force a Tailteann Cup draw.
Matches are arriving thick and fast, but O’Carroll is adamant Laois can make further progress. “Absolutely, all you can look at is the game ahead of you, and you don't have too much time to do that,” O’Carroll responds.
“You have games every week which is great and positive, but it is a panel thing where everyone, 1 to 34 is going to be really important for us.
“The league campaign was extremely positive, we went in with the aim of getting out of Division Four. I suppose to win the league final was a cherry on top, but Offaly brought us back down to the ground.
“They were good, we weren't. So, it was a reality check for us, it gave us time to prep for the Tailteann Cup, to focus in on Carlow, Wicklow, and Fermanagh.”
Evan O'Carroll pictured following Laois' Allianz Football League Division Four Final win over Leitrim at Croke Park. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
Former Armagh footballer McNulty has returned for a second stint in charge of Laois, who face Wicklow in Aughrim on Sunday. “We didn't get out after getting relegated to Division Four, Justin came in, him and his backroom team, Ross (Munnelly) and Diarmuid (Carroll) have brought a real professionalism to it,” O’Carroll responds.
“What they have brought this year is when we've been in tight games, we have come out most of the time on the right side of it. Maybe in years before we didn't have that happen to us, so that has been positive.
“We have very good footballers, it is just putting to a game plan that suits us. In fairness to the lads, we are working on it. We aren't there yet, but we are definitely working on it.
“A good few players have come in this year, they have been real additions to us. Hopefully we can stay driving on.”
O’Carroll is fully aware of the value and relevance of ensuring the next generation can prosper in a Laois jersey. Critical work is being carried out in the underage ranks according to the Laois attacker. “That is the most important thing for Laois football, that we have the structure in place that in 10 or 15 years time, the lads coming through are back hopefully competing for Leinster and All-Ireland championships,” O’Carroll says.
“That is the aim. We just have to do our best to give them the platform over the next couple of years.”
