Laois Stoked

Arles/Kilcruise ace Ross Munnelly has more reasons than most to be looking forward to this Sunday's Leinster Senior Football Championship tie against Wexford. Munnelly made his Senior Championship debut for Laois five years ago against the men from the South East on a wet day at Croke Park, a game which Laois won by 12 points, and ultimately went on two months later to take a first Leinster SFC crown in 57 years.

Munnelly told Laois.stoked.ie Sports Editor Cóilín Duffy that nothing will be easy this weekend against the Slaneysiders, whom Laois beat at the penultimate stage last year, but the Wexfordmen were victorious over Liam Kearns' side at Bellefield, Enniscorthy in January's O'Byrne Cup meeting.

"12 months ago when we played Wexford in a Leinster semi-final, they were beating us by seven or eight points and they had a goal disallowed in the first half. We are under no illusions on how difficult this game is on Sunday."

Ross Munnelly in top gear for Laois against Wicklow in ...Ross Munnelly in top gear for Laois against Wicklow in ...

Ross Munnelly on the attack for Laois against Derry in ...Ross Munnelly on the attack for Laois against Derry in ...

Ross Munnelly in full flight for Laois against Wicklow in ...Ross Munnelly in full flight for Laois against Wicklow in ...

17 June 2008; Puma today unveiled the new v1.08 Speed Boot X-ray ...17 June 2008; Puma today unveiled the new v1.08 Speed Boot X-ray ...

17 June 2008; Puma today unveiled the new v1.08 Speed Boot X-ray ...17 June 2008; Puma today unveiled the new v1.08 Speed Boot X-ray ...

Munnelly added, "We have had a disappointing league campaign. Wicklow was our first win of the year. You have Wexford on the other hand who were the total opposite - they were unbeaten right throughout the league and have had a very good start to to the Championship.

"Really they are coming into this game with all the momentum and hopefully on the day we'll be able to stop that."

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Ross will be wearing the new PUMA v1.08 Speed Boot X-ray this Sunday against Wexford.

"My game is very much based on speed and acceleration so it is essential to me that my boot is lightweight. I also need a football boot that provides me with enough protection to face the attacks of defenders," he said.

"The v1.08 provides all of this and also looks fantastic," he added.

Fellow Laois footballer Tom Kelly, is also among the stable of GAA stars who have deals with PUMA, including Kilkenny's Henry Shefflin, Bryan Cullen of Dublin and Westmeath star Dessie Dolan.

THE MUNNELLY FILE

• Age - 25
• Club - Arles/Kilcruise
• League debut - 02/03/2003, O'Moore Park, Portlaoise - v Down (NFL Div1B)
• Championship debut - 11/05/2003, Croke Park, Dublin – v Wexford (Leinster SFC Prelim)
• INTERESTING FACT - Ross’s younger brother Colm is a former member of the Laois Senior panel, and won an O'Byrne Cup medal in 2005.

Check out a report of Ross Munnelly's Championship debut against Wexford in 2003 by clicking here