Laois manager John Surgue has defended goalkeeper Graham Brody after he was caught out of position for Westmeath's goal in yesterday's Allianz Football League Division 3 final.

The Portlaoise fly 'keeper was outside his '45 when he gave away possession from a free and was punished moments later when Westmeath worked the ball to Ger Egan for the game's only goal, with Brody nowhere to be seen. 

“It was a killer goal, against it was just (poor) execution,” Surgue said after the O'Moore County's three-point defeat at Croke Park.

“I’m in this job 18 months, Graham has come out north of 100 times, I think we conceded one (goal) in Leitrim last year, again an execution issue.

“That’s the second one today. So of 100 patterns of play that he’s been involved in, two goals is probably not a big return for the opposition. It’s one goal, it’s a fairly significant one today but they’re the margins you’re playing with.”

Brody's Portlaoise clubmate Craig Rogers also defended him on Twitter, claiming that the 'pros outweigh the cons' with regard to the All-Star nominated goalkeeper offering overlaps to his defenders.

 

On Westmeath goal yesterday;

1- You’re foolish if you blame Brody&that incident for Laois losing that game!

2- Playing that way is a team philosophy. Like Barca playing out from the back in soccer. The pros outweigh the cons and risk factor is accepted!

— Craig Rogers (@Rodgie5) April 7, 2019

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