The latter was never an option for Laois footballer Evan O’Carroll after they left Croke Park last year with their tails between their legs having conceded eight goals against Down.
That Tailteann Cup semi-final hammering signalled the end of Billy Sheehan’s reign as O’Moore manager and O’Carroll was intent on “making sure it never happens again”.
Any positives that came before that massacre were quickly forgotten as O’Carroll and Co stewed for many months after their season ended in disaster.
“It was difficult. Probably the most difficult time I’ve had after an inter-county season. It’s tough, you have to learn from things like that as well and learn how to deal with it,” O’Carroll says.
“You’re going to be disappointed and I suppose you don’t have too long to think about it before you’re back into the club. Your focus quickly shifts to the club and trying to put in performances with them.
“When the club finishes then you’re kind of moving on to, ‘Am I going to go back in with Laois and trying to rectify what went wrong the previous year?’”
There was no hesitation when Justin McNulty, the man who gave O’Carroll his debut in a 2013 qualifier against Wexford, was handed the reins for a second time.
“When Justin’s name was brought to my attention there was never a second thought of going back in. The opportunity to work with him, I’ve massive respect for him,” the Crettyard attacker says.
“He gave me my chance with Laois and I’ve taken that and I’ve just enjoyed playing under him for a second term. Whenever I heard Justin was back in line for the job, it kind of created a buzz for me.
“Sometimes going back in the November/December time is the most difficult part because you know there’s a hard road in front of you but it has been probably one of my most enjoyable years with Laois so far.”
Division 4 league honours were secured in emphatic style earlier this year as they laid some Croke Park demons to rest but things haven’t quite gone to plan since.
They fell to midlands rivals Offaly in the first round of the Leinster SFC before being on the receiving end of a stunning Carlow comeback in their Tailteann Cup opener last weekend.
Laois were six points clear entering injury-time before two goals from Aaron Amond snatched an unlikely draw for the Barrowsiders, and that places even more emphasis on this weekend.
They face a tough trip to Aughrim against a Wicklow side, managed by Oisín McConville, who are hurting from a comprehensive defeat to Fermanagh.
O’Carroll, a secondary school teacher (business and English) in Lucan’s Coláiste Phádraig, insists Laois are “building” and a strong Tailteann Cup run would do wonders for them.
“The Tailteann Cup is very achievable for all teams that are competing in it. When you’re able to compete for a trophy, it’s always positive,” the 28-year-old maintains.
“We’re at the level we’re at. We put ourselves in that position. It’s just trying to get us back to where we need to be. It’s not whether we deserve to be there.
“It’s whether we can get ourselves there and it’s the panel’s job to do that. If we can win a Tailteann Cup, it would be unbelievable for the county and for the panel of players that is there.
“We’ve had one trophy this year, it meant a lot to us. We set out a target of getting promoted, we got the promotion and the bonus on top was to win the trophy in Croke Park.
“If we could get the opportunity to do that again, it would be great.”
