Gavin Cummiskey talks to one of the golden boys of Laois football who credits Mick O'Dwyer with helping the team develop confidence without arrogance
A golden era is under way in Laois. However, just like the Portuguese footballers in Euro 2004 it will ultimately be considered a failure if they do not capture an All-Ireland title in the coming years.
For now, though, they return to Croke Park on Sunday to try and reinforce their pedigree. To remind everyone they are the real deal.
Ross Munnelly, is the prototype of the modern Laois footballer. When he was growing up the county were winning All-Ireland minor titles so he doesn't really remember the bad old times. But there is a multitude of others who do.
"There is a swagger in the county of late," he says. "At senior level we were down for so long that when times like this come along we appreciate it more. The fans are enjoying the team's success but they remember the harsher times so are not inclined to rub it into the more established counties."
The Laois football mentality has changed. As the golden generation near their peak they now expect to win. Yet, it's all happened so fast. Munnelly pinpoints the arrival of one man. "I don't think the mentality changed until Micko arrived last year. It was almost like flipping a coin over it happened so fast.
"The people of Laois are now expecting us to win. It's very important that supporters have that attitude but a note of caution: players can't think like that. We must have a quieter winning mentality."
Whether they can topple Armagh at full throttle is another matter but they are expected to get themselves into that position once more. A classy performance against Meath showed Munnelly was unaffected by talk of the dreaded second season syndrome.
"I suppose it's only an issue if you let it be," said the man from Arles-Kilcruise. "That is one of Micko's strengths. He has instilled a one-game-at-a-time mentality so we don't get carried away with the pressure aspect."
"The way I was brought up and coached was to go out and play a little better than the last day. To make one less mistake is always the goal."
Striving for perfection. Last year's double success, Leinster and county championship titles, would have been enough to satisfy most appetites but Munnelly couldn't help dwelling on the medals that had slipped through his grasp.
"I wouldn't consider it a complete success as we only won the Leinster and county titles when there was an All-Ireland and Leinster club championship there to be won. That was disappointing."
This must be music to the ears of the Laois public: Last year wasn't a complete success. Also, Arles are out of the running to retain their title so all his focus is on the inter-county scene.
This kind of hunger is what spurns the great teams and the great players to realise their potential; without this insatiable desire Sam Maguires cannot be won. Just look at Kieran McGeeney and Peter Canavan. Munnelly's philosophy of the game mirrors that of the truly great players.
This is unusual in one so young but it is a general trait of the Leinster champions. "Football is generally about progression," he says. "We've had two games and won them both so far but we are not looking past Westmeath. We're 100 per cent focused on that. The qualifiers and the All-Ireland series are completely irrelevant at the moment."
The main concern ahead of the challenge of Westmeath is twofold. Munnelly mischievously insists Westmeath are favourites due to their tougher route to the final and the Indian sign held over Laois in the past.
The provincial finals still have their place in the sun but as McGeeney stated after Armagh's triumph last week, they are a means to an end. If Laois want to become permanent members of the elite they will need to ensure the Delaney Cup finds a regular spot in the O'Moore Park trophy cabinet.
"Things can go either way. Armagh made it but we're still at that stage where its unclear whether we'll make it or not. We are building for the future."
In many respects, Munnelly is that future.
