O’Loughlin warns Laois to avoid stuttering starts

LAOIS selector Declan O’Loughlin is adamant that his team will secure an All-Ireland quarter-final spot if they can avoid a repeat of the slow starts that handicapped them so badly against Offaly and Dublin.

The 2003 Leinster champions found themselves six and five points down respectively at half-time in those games and, though Ross Munnelly’s last-gasp goal saved them against their neighbours, they were eventually punished for their early lethargy by Dublin in the provincial final.

“We’ve put it behind us. We’ve never dwelled on the Dublin game. What we have taken out of it is that we played the best football of the championship in that second half and there’s no reason why we can’t do that again. What we need is a fast start. I believe if we get off to a good start we won’t be beaten.