O’Dwyer magic works

MICK O’DWYER has started to work his magic in Laois.

Former county stars Hughie Emerson and Damian Delaney are believed to be ready to give it one last go at inter-county level next season.

The pair have not played in two seasons for Laois, but the arrival of O’Dwyer as manager is believed to be the reason behind their decision.

Both are in training, which will continue throughout the winter in an effort to make O’Dwyer’s NFL panel in spring.

“We’ve been having trial games on Sunday mornings,” O’Dwyer said yesterday, “and the level of enthusiasm has been very encouraging. On one occasion, we nearly had fifty players and were able to pick three teams.

“However, with fitness levels being poor at this time of the year, it is a bit early to be judging the respective merits of players,” he said.

“But things are progressing nicely. We’ll tip away with the Sunday mornings for a while before we get into the serious stuff after Christmas.”