Laois advanced to the Quarter-Finals of the Tailteann Cup last night as they saw off the challenge of Fermanagh to win by two points in Brewster Park.
Late points by Mark Barry proved crucial as they secured a major victory in Enniskillen.
Tailteann Cup Preliminary Quarter-Final
FULL TIME
Laois: 1-11(14)
Fermanagh : 1-9(12)— Laois GAA (@CLGLaois) June 10, 2023
It has been a difficult time for Laois football who were relegated to Division 4 of the Allianz Football League in 2022 and failed to get promoted this season.
With that has come what manager Billy Sheehan described after the game as "unfortunate abuse" of his players in an interesting interview with Sean Perry on Saturday Sport.
Laois manager hits out at abuse of players
"Whatever about me being abused, I don't care about that, but there was a County Board meeting there two weeks ago where clubs literally said that the team were finished this year," he said.
"Then online, it's just unfortunate the abuse that the players are receiving from people who don't even come to the games.
"We've a very loyal following. It's brilliant to see the loyal following. It's small but sure that's the way the sport is.
"I'm just delighted for the players. It really means nothing to me. They can keep abusing me all they want, it doesn't bother me in the least.
10 June 2023; Patrick O'Sullivan of Laois celebrates at the final whistle after the Tailteann Cup Preliminary Quarter Final match between Fermanagh and Laois at Brewster Park in Enniskillen, Fermanagh. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
"I'm just really disappointed for our own people in the county to target our players like that," he continued.
"We were seven points up against London, we had about one hundred supporters and then all of a sudden everyone makes comments about them (the players) afterwards.
"Roll on the abuse in the next few days. We'll be ready to go again next week."
Sheehan also had a tense exchange with Fermanagh boss Kieran Donnelly, with the former feeling that Donnelly had said something to his players during the game.
"I won't get him a Christmas card and I probably won't get one off him," Sheehan added.
Laois will join the other Preliminary Quarter-Final winners Wexford, Down and Carlow in the last eight next weekend, with the draw to take place tomorrow.
Meath, Cavan, Limerick and Antrim also remain in the competition after topping their respective groups.
SEE ALSO: Wild Finish As Dublin Minors Make Remarkable Comeback v Cork
