Ross Munnelly says he still gets a buzz from speaking to his former Laois manager Mick O’Dwyer as his county prepare to take part in a Leinster final.

Laois last reached a Leinster final in 2007 but it was in 2003 when the county claimed the title under O’Dwyer - their first since 1946 - that Munnelly most fondly remembers. 

Under O’Dwyer’s guidance, Munnelly thrived on the pitch as he earned an all-star nomination and was shortlisted for Young Player of the Year.

The 35-year-old is still plying his trade today but still values the contact of his former manager.

“Last year I was down with him in Waterville and it was 15 years to the day that we had won the Leinster [title],” Munnelly told Off The Ball.

“I had lunch with him and I think Maurice Fitzgerald was there as well. It was a great feeling because I never forget the people that help me throughout my playing days and my career and Micko was the man who gave me my chance.

“When you’re starting off in your career you always remember the people who - I wouldn’t say confidence - but put you in the position to help you earn it yourself and Micko showed a tremendous amount of belief in me and it’s something I’ll never forget.

“We chat on the phone every now and then and it’s probably the same general chat each time. His memory of games gone by and small incidents in games when we were really pushing back from 0-3 to 0-6 is incredible still.

“And yeah, he’d still talk about refereeing decisions or a ball hitting a post. I always find that after speaking with him, going to training - I get a buzz from it, because he was such an incredible man and what he did for Laois was absolutely fantastic.”

James Hopper