Harte sees need for rhythm

All-Ireland SFC qualifier fourth round: A poor contest was overshadowed by a Laois team sapped of their strength - a dangerous…

All-Ireland SFC qualifier fourth round: A poor contest was overshadowed by a Laois team sapped of their strength - a dangerous way to be against a team that loves to mix it - and the horrific injury that befell Brian McDonald.

Yet, for Mickey Harte things are beginning to come nicely together. Peter Canavan was held in reserve and a favourable draw, albeit next week, came in the shape of Mayo. He wouldn't admit it but surely it is better to avoid Armagh and Kerry for now.

"Looking at Mayo's form in the Connacht final not too many teams would have liked to meet them. We have a big task on our hands next week," he insisted. "We looked very good at times and we looked very ordinary at times. That's the way it's been for us this year. We are glad to get a result but we need to perform over a more consistent period. We haven't performed over the 70 minutes."

Ryan McMenamin was in pursuit of McDonald when they double break of the Laois player's leg occurred. So distraught was he by what he saw the corner back had to come off.

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"Both of then were just challenging for the ball. I hate to see that happening, if anybody breaks their leg it's awful and it takes the shine off our victory because Beano McDonald is such a nice footballer and good young man. We hope he has a speedy and clean recovery."

And what of Canavan? Why not give him a run?

"He's nursing himself back to full fitness. At no time in the game today did we determine that it would be necessary to introduce him. We felt it would be better to make more of a recovery before he has to go into the game again."

The lesson to be learned from this year's championship is don't lose your provincial final. Mick O'Dwyer's men were devoid of the energetic style that has typified their game for the last two years. Against Tyrone this means the contest is over before it even starts.

"Ah, they were a way better team, fresher team on the day," said Micko "We have had so many injuries this year it has been unbelievable, forced to play Sunday after Sunday after Sunday. Three games in two weeks, I mean, that's a crazy situation and they have to do something about it."

Then Micko reminded those present of the litany of injuries. Up to eight of his regulars were walking wounded. Fair enough. But if Laois had accounted for Westmeath in the Leinster final they could have been kicking back their heals this weekend. Replays have been cruel to Laois and Limerick this year, while total capitulations have benefited the likes of Derry and Dublin. That is the main problem.

"Those are amateur players," O'Dwyer continued, "guys who have to work tomorrow. Surely be to God they can get some kind of structure that teams could play at least every two weeks. Surely they will have to have a real look at it - but overall Tyrone gave an exhibition of football out there today.

"They're going to be very hard to beat in this championship but there are a lot of tough games ahead. If we were genuine and honest about it we wouldn't have turned up today and that would've have sorted it out maybe once and for all. Somebody will have to do it sometime to get it sorted out."

So, second-season syndrome visits Laois. Before disappearing onto the morgue-like team coach O'Dwyer politely side-stepped all questions regarding his future. Laois will always be there, he said, but Micko will not always be at the helm.