There is one goal for the Laois hurlers this year and that is to win the Joe McDonagh Cup and get back into the Leinster championship.

Those are the sentiments of their captain Paddy Purcell who will lead the county into action against Offaly at O’Connor Park on Saturday evening.

The O’Moore County are joint-favourites alongside Offaly to win the second-tier championship and they have been tipped by many pundits to be triumphant at Croke Park on Sunday, June 30th.

Purcell stressed to the Leinster Express that they will have to hit the ground running, but he added that they are in a good place ahead of the Offaly clash.

“Our main aim was the Joe McDonagh Cup and the lure of getting up to Croke Park and getting back into the Leinster championship,” said Purcell.

“You could say we put in another pre-season between the league and championship. We feel it has gone pretty well but I’m sure the other teams are happy too.

“The first game is massive because we found out last year losing to Westmeath by a point upset us. It is going to be massive for both teams because if you lose that match you are always playing catch up.

“The first match is going to be crucial but it’s not going to be the be all and the end all. All the teams are probably going to beat each other, that’s how competitive it is.”

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