'The players have to ask themselves questions'
February 18, 2019
The Offaly players stand for the national anthem. ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne.
Kevin Martin admitted that Offaly's first half performance against Laois on Saturday night was unacceptable.
The once-mighty Faithful County conceded 2-7 without reply to trail by 0-6 to 2-13 at the break,to leave themselves with too much to do in the second half.
"We beat ourselves in the first half, we didn't work hard enough," the Offaly manager told reporters.
"They were playing reaction hurling, they weren't off the mark. They were getting turned over, they weren't getting the breaks, which is uncharacteristic of them because we'd a good week in training.
"There's questions to be asked, the players have to ask themselves questions about their commitment tonight and whether they gave everything or not. They'll have to digest it over the weekend."
The odds are stacked against Offaly avoiding a relegation playoff in Division 1B of the Allianz Hurling League, but at least Martin will be able to call on the returning Shane Dooley and Joe Bergin for next Sunday's visit of Galway to Tullamore.
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