PART-TIME FARMER Padraig McMahon has withdrawn from the Laois football panel because ‘cows won’t wait until the training session is over’ to give birth.
That’s the reality of the situation, according to manager Tomas O Flatharta who offered a colourful explanation for his key corner-back’s departure.
McMahon was an ever present in last year’s Championship campaign and started both of Laois first two league games this year.
He was named to play against Roscommon yesterday too but was replaced before throw-in and O Flatharta subsequently revealed the player has left the panel.
“Padraig McMahon is a very busy man, he’s a teacher and a farmer as well,” said O Flatharta. “We tried to work it out and he did come in with us, he came to me during last week. He said he couldn’t do it, he was caught for time.
“Cows won’t wait until the training session is over and then say, ‘you can come home and I’ll have the calf’. That’s the reality of it. Padraig is opting out for a few weeks. I’m not sure if we have seen the end of it or not but we have to respect how busy he is.
“He hasn’t closed the door on it himself yet from taking part in the rest of the year.”
Laois picked up their first win of the Division 2 campaign on Sunday when they beat Roscommon 2-17 to 0-16. O Flatharta maintained they’d been ready to give that strong performance a week earlier in Galway though the Round 3 tie was postponed due to snow.
“It didn’t come as a surprise to ourselves,” said the former Westmeath and Galway boss.
“I felt the last day when the game was postponed, we were well up for that day and the lads retained that form.”
