O’Dwyer upbeat in face of Laois adversity

JUST as well Laois manager Mick O’Dwyer is a pragmatist. And that he enjoys golf!

Otherwise, he’d probably be sitting at home in Waterville feeling dejected about his team’s defeat in the Leinster football final replay last Saturday and concerned about facing All-Ireland champions Tyrone in Croke Park next weekend without some key players.

Twelve months ago, Micko inspired Laois to a long overdue Leinster title. And while expectations were high going into the All-Ireland series, the bubble burst in the quarter-final when Armagh beat them. Still, the margin was two points. Laois were by no means disgraced, they just lacked the experience Joe Kernan’s team gained over the previous four or five years.