Teddy McCarthy has called on Laois supporters to start supporting the county's hurlers.

The Cork legend, who won All-Ireland football and hurling medals in 1990, has expressed disappointment at the lack of support for the team who open their Leinster SHC campaign against neighbours Carlow in Dr Cullen Park on Saturday evening.

"It is high time people got off their backsides and started supporting us," the O'Moore County boss said in The Irish Independent.

"It is easy to support us from the couch at home or in the bar after, but we need the support, we are no different from anyone else."

McCarthy, who is planning without injured midfielder Joe Fitzpatrick for Saturday's game, has also taken a swipe at players who have made themselves unavailable for selection.

"You have fellas missing because they won't come on the panel. I said to the players: 'We are in a hole, but if we are manly enough it is up to us to dig ourselves out of it.'

"If we can stick together for the three years I'm sure we'll be a force to be reckoned with in Leinster again and we won't be talking about the boys that are not making themselves available," he added. Tweet

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