SFC QUALIFIER:LAOIS FOOTBALL manager Liam Kearns has warned of the "ridiculous expectations" being placed on his team facing into tomorrow's second round qualifier against Down.
It's not that he's attempting to deflect the pressure, because Kearns knows he's coming under that anyway, and will be considering his future with Laois at the end of the season, come what may.
Pressure is mounting on all eight managers with teams in action tomorrow. Four of the eight teams beaten in last Saturday's first round lost a manager as a result, some being pushed, others jumping. But for now, Kearns is only concerned about the present.
"I was going to review my position at the end of the year anyway," he says. "Everyone knows county management is a huge commitment. But right now my only concern is getting the best possible performance out of Laois this Saturday.
"It's the first time in the two years I've been here we've a fully fit panel, and that's obviously good news. Going back to the Wexford match we were operating without six players, and against Longford we were without three or four.
"They're all back with us now, and while they've missed some training, and mightn't be fully match-fit, they're there for us now, and that's the important thing. At least we do have our strongest team, or at least very close to it."
Among those back in the mix are Pádraig Clancy (previously suspended), Joe Higgins, Mark Timmons and Colm Kelly (who had been injured): "It's a relief as well, sure, but I felt all along we were working with a very good panel. It was just frustrating to be without so many players at the same time. It looks as if we've finally turned that corner, but whether we've turned it soon enough to make the most of the season, well only Saturday will tell.
"We definitely didn't play well against Longford last weekend, and managed to get ourselves into a very difficult position at half- time. But then we showed great character to get ourselves back out of it. And I think any team will tell you Longford are always difficult to beat at home.
"But yeah, we were relieved to get out of it, and we know for sure another performance like that won't be good enough the next day. We'll have to find a lot more in the locker if we are to beat Down."
Laois have home advantage, and while inside they may be confident about coming through this one, Kearns is not about to start raising hopes: "That depends on who you're asking. I know the Laois public aren't very confident, aren't very positive at all.
"We've just been very unlucky with injuries. But more than that, we've lost up to 10 of our most experienced players, gone off the panel. The likes of Fergal Byron, Aidan Fennelly, Gary Kavanagh, Noel Garvan, Chris Conway, Beano McDonald. Household names. That's been huge.
"I'd put it up to any county, including Kerry, to lose the same amount of key players we've lost, and not have to rebuild again. The average age of the panel now is under 23, so I think there are ridiculous expectations being put on this team.
"Look at Donie Kingston, only 18. John O'Loughlin, only 18. And Mark Timmons is only 21. All these players do have a big future, whether it's under me or someone else.
"Having said that, we have set a standard for ourselves, and we're not happy with that either. As a squad we do still need to perform. What happened is we've had to rebuild again completely, starting from last November.
"We were in the most competitive division in the league, and didn't lose to any of them by more than a couple of points.
"If we win on Saturday that's three wins this year, and by American standards, that's a winning season. But, of course, it's a pivotal game for us. And I think if we can win it we'll certainly get better again the next day."
If they do win tomorrow, Laois are just 70 minutes away from getting back to Croke Park for an All-Ireland quarter-final. And not even Mick O'Dwyer brought them any further than that.
