New resolve as Laois up for the battle

FOLLOWING the debacle of last year’s embarrassing Leinster championship exit to their fierce local rivals Kildare, Laois football was at a crossroads.

Out of desperation a charter was drawn up to address discipline within the panel. All players involved in the senior panel signed the agreement and undertook to adhere to its demands.The sound-bytes emanating from the Laois camp prior to the weekend were positive but the real test of their new found application and commitment was this Leinster quarter-final against a fancied Meath.

The game went along predictable lines in the first half with Laois competing well but Meath, having taken the lead on six minutes with a goal from their most impressive forward, Graham Reilly, held sway for the rest of the half.