Evan O'Carroll goes into Sunday's Leinster Football Championship derby with Offaly in fine form after shooting six points in the Division 4 league final win over Leitrim.
But he says that game has been quickly put to one side as they face their neighbours in an eagerly-awaited game at Portlaoise.
Four of O’Carroll’s points against Leitrim were from play, and it was a satisfying return to Croke Park for the O'Moore men after conceding 8-16 to Down in last season's Tailteann Cup semi-final.
O’Carroll has been showing serious leadership all year, but he’s not getting carried away.
"It’s nice to win a trophy at Croke Park," the Crettyard forward says.
"But games are coming thick and fast and if we didn’t knuckle down quickly to prepare for Offaly it wouldn’t be wise.
"It’s a huge game for us."
O'Carroll is the county’s senior football captain this season.
He shared the leadership role with Trevor Collins in 2023 but with Collins not on the squad this year, the lethal attacker is leading the side in his 12th season with the Laois footballers.
He was handed his debut by current manager Justin McNulty in 2013 against Wexford and was only 17 at the time when he featured in an All-Ireland qualifier.
The years have passed quickly, but O’Carroll has frequently reminded people of his incredible ability as an inside forward.
He was terrific at full-forward against Leitrim and, aside from scoring six points, he also created two goals.
Against Tipperary, he stepped up at a crucial stage when the game looked to be going away from the O’Moore men.
Along with Paul Kingston and goalkeeper Killian Roche, he has been outstanding for McNulty this campaign.
He says they had much to work towards.
"We were disappointed after not getting out of Division 4 last year," he says. "Getting out this year was the main aim.
"We got that consistency needed this year and we were delighted to get out.
"It was hard going. Against Tipp we had to dig in but we have a strong panel this year and the team is pushing each other in training. It showed against Tipp that when we came under pressure, we still ground it out.
"So that is something there to be positive about."
Now in his late 20s, he says he’s enjoying the cut and thrust of top flight Gaelic football as much as ever.
"I’m at it for a while but I am enjoying it," he smiles. "But if the enjoyment goes, I don’t know if there is a point in going in to train because you are only taking something away from other lads.
"When you see the focus that is needed – and on strength and conditioning especially – it’s a huge commitment but winning a title in Croke Park and games like that make it worthwhile because lifting a trophy up there doesn’t come around too often."
He says he has massive respect for McNulty and a coaching ticket which includes Ross Munnelly and Diarmuid Carroll.
"He gave me my debut years back and I can’t thank him enough for that," O’Carroll says.
On the field, however, his displays have more than repaid that leap of faith shown by the manager.
Watch Dublin v Meath in the Leinster Football Championship quarter-finals on Sunday from 4pm, follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app and listen to updates on Sunday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1
Watch the Very Camogie League finals, Derry v Westmeath and Galway v Tipperary, on Sunday from 12.15pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player
