Joe McDonagh Cup Round 3 Preview: Laois v Westmeath

Laois are away tomorrow on Saturday May 9th at 5pm in Cusack Park, Mullingar to face Westmeath in Round 3 of the Joe McDonagh Cup.

Ticket Information: Buy Your Match Tickets

Follow live match updates and scores on the official CLG Laois X account: @CLGLaois. Plus on our official Facebook page.

All Photo Credits: Captured by Oonagh

Laois team named to face Westmeath:

Current Joe McDonagh Cup Table: Ahead of Round 3

Team	P	+/-	Pts
Carlow	2	15	4
Down	2	8	4
Westmeath	2	4	2
Laois	2	-2	2
Antrim	2	-9	0
London	2	-16	0

It is a decisive, vital showdown for both teams as they enter the game on Saturday in the same position as one another: both Laois and Westmeath have 1 win and 1 loss each so far. A win here for either side, will give them a huge boost in their hopes for this campaign.

Latest Key Laois Stats (Courtesy of Eoin Culliton @LeixGaelicStats on Twitter)

From the Antrim game in Round 2

Laois are now the highest-scoring team in the history of the Joe McDonagh Cup (867), passing Kerry (861) against Antrim.

Cillian Dunne made his championship debut and scored a brace of goals.

He’s the first Laois hurler in 36 years to score two goals within his first three SHC appearances (1990, John Fitzpatrick Kilcotton v Wexford).

Picky Maher scored three 65s. It’s only the second recorded SHC game where a Laois hurler scored three 65s in one game:

2018 Picky vs Carlow

Laois’ starting 15 vs Antrim had 366 SHC apps going into the match, making it the most capped Laois SHC ever.

It passes the 2025 game vs Carlow (350).

Coincidentally, both games were reffed by Caymon Flynn.

Round 2 Result for Laois:

Laois: 2-23

Antrim: 0-22

Standout Players for Laois: Round 2 v Antrim

Picky Maher

Picky Maher was in top form for Laois, finishing with an outstanding 0-13 and getting the vital scores at the crucial period in the 2nd half when the game was tight, Picky inspired Laois pulling away from Antrim with a brilliant 2nd half surge that won Laois the game.

Picky’s accuracy and distance from both frees and ’65s was brilliant, while his experience helped drive their strong finish.

Picky also played a key role in distribution, heavily involved in the decisive moment of the match, setting up Cillian Dunne’s second goal with a brilliant pass.

As Picky was substituted late in the final minute of the game; he exited the field to a deserved and big applause from the Laois fans for his display.

His influence, leadership, and scoring power inspired Laois to a crucial win which got Laois’ Joe McDonagh Cup campaign right back on track.

Cillian Dunne

Cillian Dunne’s performance was excellent and his contribution to the scoreline had a huge impact. : it was his first championship start for Laois and he scored 2-2 from play in a fearless attacking display.

He grabbed an early goal to give Laois the perfect start and remained a constant threat throughout with his positioning up front, using great vision to get into the right space to receive the quick ball from his teammates and had the accuracy to finish these impressive attacking moves, with scores.

Dunne’s second goal in the closing stages effectively sealed the victory and showed great composure under pressure in front of goal. He took his points from play really well too.

Dunne’s intensity levels never dropped with his great pace: on bursting runs forward, both on and off the ball, his great movement in attack and work rate to win possession were displayed at a high level. He was brilliant in the air, winning the aerial duals and catching cleanly, high ball struck into the full forward line from Fiachra C. Fennell.

He proved consistency too in his quality performance as he was the standout forward for Laois in their Division 2 league campaign this year also.

Martin Phelan

Martin Phelan used his physical strength to great effect throughout, consistently holding off challenges, embracing tackles and powering through them, beating multiple opponents with a powerful mix of balance, pace and strength.

He was fearless in contact, took on defenders directly, and repeatedly came out on top in physical battles, often winning crucial frees that allowed Picky Maher to add to his tally.

Phelan also showed real creativity and awareness when he was clever to load off 2 excellent quick hand passes, that directly set up Maher scores, while contributing two superb points from play himself, struck all from long range and difficult angles.

He scored himself when the opportunity was on and gave hand passes when a score was more likely after release. His relentless work rate stood out from start to finish as he never stopped fighting to win possession and also successfully, whether winning turnovers for Laois or driving forward on attacking runs to create chances for others and score himself.

Defensively impressive also, he got his hurl in to intercept ball on a few occasions to disrupt the Antrim attack.

Although Martin Phelan contributed very well defensively at times from half forward:

Laois had their solid anchor in defence too:

Fiachra C-Fennell.

Fiachra C-Fennell consistently sent high quality long balls into Cillian Dunne and Picky Maher, both of whom were strong in the air, giving Laois a strong attacking platform.

His reading of the game was excellent, as he chased down opponents to force wides and produced key interceptions and clearances, one of which directly led to a Maher score. Another interception and clearance created a turnover that saw Dunne win a free which Maher converted.

He also showed attacking intent, scoring a fine point from play after a strong, pacey run down the wing following one of his own turnovers.

His long-range passes from both attacking set up play and defensive turnover clearances: repeatedly sparked Laois attacks and led directly to scores, making him a vital link between defence and attack.

Fiachra also showed great composure and determination in possession, scooping up loose balls under pressure and even winning a sideline ball through sheer persistence.

Westmeaths Previous Results

Round 1

London: 0.15

Westmeath: 1.22

Round 2

Westmeath 1.23

Carlow 4.20

Westmeath’s Standout Players so far:

David Williams 0-17

Eoin Keyes 1-5

Killian Doyle 1-3

Eamon Cunneen 0-6