Mike Quirke: 'Everybody is visibly more positive'

'It's not really about Longford as much as it is ourselves doing the right things well'

Laois manager Mike Quirke speaks to his players prior to the O'Byrne Cup match against Meath. Picture: Harry Murphy/Sportsfile

Consider for a moment what the last couple of weeks might have looked like for Micheal Quirke and Laois.

At half-time in their Allianz League Division 2 game against Fermanagh they'd scored just three points, with a gale force wind behind them. Relegation beckoned and with two minutes of normal time remaining, and now reduced to 14 players and trailing by five points, Division 3 football appeared their destiny.