Jones proves a point on return to hurling action for Laois

LAOIS’ facile win over Carlow in the Leinster SHC on Saturday evening didn’t tell Paudie Butler much he didn’t know about his team’s capabilities.

However, it did confirm the re-emergence of a glittering talent that many had previously thought lost to the county's senior representatives.

Two years ago, Robert Jones refused to travel to a league game against Derry at the time of the foot and mouth crisis and his decision didn't go down too well with the management team of the day.

The result was that Jones left the panel just another example of the infighting that has hampered Laois in both codes in recent years and that seemed that.

Then two weeks ago, Jones made his reappearance under Butler ironically away to Derry in the league and his performances since against Wicklow and a five-point haul against Carlow has confirmed the potential of a man still only 23 years old.

Ask Jones about the reasons for his disappearance though and he prefers to gloss over the details.

"I just wasn't committed to the team, I hadn't the time," the midfielder cum half-forward stated.

"(Paudie Butler) kept at me though and the league was going well so I said I'd give it a go.

"My first start was in Derry two weeks ago. I was supposed to start at half-forward but I started at midfield. Things went well from there. I started last weekend against Wicklow and was taken off towards the end maybe from a fitness point of view.

"It's good to be back, we're going well and Dublin now will be a bigger task. Midfield, half-forward is where I play. I'm comfortable in midfield, it doesn't matter to me, once you're on the team. I'd be fairly fit anyway.

"I've been training with my team Kilcotton for the last few months who are senior and we'll be hoping to go far in that this year too."

Jones' return to action didn't please everyone and there was a good deal of consternation in Laois hurling circles that he was offered a second chance by Butler.

The Tipperary man knew the potential being wasted though and perceived sins under former managers didn't concern him unduly.

Saturday proved his point as Jones fired over five supreme points from the centre of the O' Moore Park pitch, taking the scoring onus off the team's top scorer and his midfield partner James Young in the process.

"I know, it's grand, a lovely player," Butler admitted. "The past is the past and everything wasn't smooth. Some fellas got a bad experience but they're nearly all back now.

"Maybe there's one or two more. Declan Rooney is outside there in Australia one of the best players in the country.

"Maybe we could tempt him back from there. There's good players in Laois. It's a question of getting them all there at the same time.

"That's the key."

Encouragingly for Laois, Butler has himself admitted that he is yet to really trawl the county in any great depth. Any more 'finds' like Jones and the O'Moores may have some heady days ahead.