Willie Hyland in tribute to Seamus Plunkett’s key role

The second James Owens blew the final whistle on Laois’ stunning nine-point defeat of Offaly in Sunday’s Leinster quarter-final, man of the match Willie Hyland made a beeline towards his manager.

The duo shared an intensely personal moment as they hugged each other fiercely, Hyland desperate to thank Seamus Plunkett for giving him his best day in a decade of Laois hurling. And if he was in any doubt following the outcry that followed his short period as former Laois manager, to let him know how much he was loved and respected.

Plunkett would have been proud of the big man’s leadership. Hyland drove over seven points from play in a consummate individual performance, within a fabulous team display.