O’Dwyer’s delight as champions avoid banana skin

SQUEAKY bum time in Carlow for Laois folk yesterday but Mick O’Dwyer still preferred to focus on the positives from the game and not the first 65 minutes of anxious nail-biting.

With two minutes plus injury time still to be played, Laois were within one kick of being stripped unceremoniously of their Leinster title, until their late rally pulled them clear.

“We finished well, which was the most important thing,” said the Laois boss. “In the last five minutes we played the type of game that we normally play. We were a bit rusty because we hadn’t really played since Wexford in the league. We had a few challenge games but they’re no use. The championship - that’s what you need.”