Laois' Leinster football championship prospects have been hit by the decision of ace forward Brian 'Beano' McDonald to leave the county panel. The Arles-Killeen clubman, who won two All-Ireland minor medals in 1996 and '97 and was a key member of Laois's 2003 Leinster championship winning side, opted out after playing only one game in this year's National League. However, he hasn't ruled out a return to inter-county football in the future. "Things just weren't happening for me and I made the decision to drop off the panel," he said. "I have no qualms with the management and I would never question their decisions. I just thought that I haven't had a break in 12 years and I'll be able to give a bit more time to the club now. I'm captain this year and that was in my mind as well." Former captain Gary Kavanagh has also dropped off the panel, while defender Aidan Fennelly is facing a long spell on the sidelines after tearing a hamstring in a recent club game. Midfielder Donal Miller is also out of the championship panel after undergoing groin surgery. Laois' championship squad in full is: Michael Nolan, Conor Gorman, Cathal Ryan, Mark Timmons, Joe Higgins, Cahir Healy, Tom Kelly, Darren Rooney, Padraig McMahon, Peter O'Leary, David Murphy, Rory Stapleton, Aidan Fennelly, Brendan Quigley, John O'Loughlin, Padraig Clancy, Kevin Meaney, Noel Garvan, Ross Munnelly, Brian McCormack, Billy Sheehan, Paul Lawlor, Colm Kelly (Stradbally), Colm Kelly (St. Joseph's), Michael John Tierney, Barry Fitzgerald, Colm Parkinson, Paul Dunne, Donie Brennan, Barry Brennan, Scott Conroy. Tweet

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