Last year the team had a number of injuries or players just coming back from injury when we played Offaly in the opening round of the Joe McDonagh. We were also coming off the back of a poor league campaign. This year the team look to be in a far healthier place for the start of this year's championship and I really hope they will be carrying a feel good factor into the game with a victory over Carlow. It really looks like a three horse race between ourselves, Westmeath and Offaly for the Joe McDonagh. The last two performances in the league have been very encouraging- this Laois team might be peaking at the right time this year. Offaly have stepped up from last year as well. Should be a right competitive encounter when the two sides meet.