David Dooley determined for Laois to go one better in Joe McDonagh Cup final

RTÉ News​

13 hours ago

Laois captain David Dooley hopes the pain of last year's Joe McDonagh Cup final loss to neighbours Offaly can provide the fuel to get over the line against Kildare in Sunday's decider at Croke Park.
Dooley, who only made his senior debut 16 months ago, was part of the starting line-up which Offaly accounted for on a 2-23 to 0-26 scoreline, with goals at the start of each half from Brian Duignan and substitute Oisin Kelly proving decisive.
This time around, the Rosenallis clubman leads the O'Moore men into battle as captain, with that honour bestowed on the 22-year-old at the start of the season.
"It's absolutely massive," Dooley, who spent two seasons with the Leinster rugby sub-academy, said of Sunday's final in conversation with RTÉ Sport.
"We probably have the heartbreak from last year spurring us on a small bit, but it's great to be back here again in Croke Park playing on days like this. It's what you dream of.
"It means everything to the group and to the wider community in Laois as well."
Laois sauntered to victories over Westmeath, Down and Kerry at the start of the campaign, but then suffered an unexpected 4-20 to 1-18 loss to Kildare in Round 4 of the competition.
Their place in the final was only decided when James Duggan found the back of the net with a glancing deflection deep into injury time in a 2-17 to 1-20 draw against Carlow.
A little luck and a lot of character saw Kildare edge out the Barrowsiders on scoring difference in the group.
Dooley may captain the side, but he believes his side is stacked with leaders and strength in depth.
"There have been a huge number of lads stepping up," he enthused.
"I think in the early stages of the round-robin there were lads standing up and in the latter stages there's been new fellas, lads that haven't been included in matchday squads are stepping up and getting starting positions and there's that bit of competition amongst everybody. That's what's needed."
The struggle for midfield supremacy could well decide who prevails at HQ, with Dooley opining: "The middle third of the pitch is probably where games are won and lost, mainly.
"There's going to be another battle there this weekend and they're going to be well up for it too."
The Laois captain has been a constant in the heart of midfield this season, but his partners have varied, reflecting the riches that Laois now boast.
"It's chopped and changed the last couple of weeks," Dooley said of the personnel he has started alongside.
"Fiachra C-Fennell, Paddy Purcell is operating there as well, John Lennon, there's Aidan Corby - anyone of them can step in there.
"Hopefully I hold my place, I could be out of it!
"They're all very capable and excellent hurlers."
Despite being humbled by Kildare earlier in the competition, Laois go into the game as favourites, but Dooley isn't underestimating the task at hand.
"We played them early on in the round-robin and they got the upper hand on us that day, and they were very, very well worth their win," he admitted.
"Then they played Carlow and they had a great win against Carlow and against the other teams as well going through.
"We've been very, very impressed by them and the way they conduct themselves throughout the round-robin.
"It's going to be a massive challenge this week.
"They've been in Christy Ring finals the last couple of years, so they have that bit of experience.
"They were playing the same day as us or maybe the week before us last year, so they have that experience of Croke Park as well.
"It'll hopefully be a cracker and we'll count on our experience, but that hurt from last will hopefully stand to us and hopefully get us over the line."
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