The GAA yesterday confirmed that the Allianz Football League final on Sunday week would be played at a provincial venue instead of Croke Park, not that the Laois footballers are even contemplating that prospect.
With several injury problems and Barry Brennan opting off the panel, their only concern is Sunday's semi-final against Kerry in Killarney.
Definitely ruled out is forward Chris Conway, who sustained a knee injury during last Sunday's draw with Kildare. According to Laois selector Declan O'Loughlin the news for Sunday is not good, but at least it's more promising in the long term. "There was no major damage to any ligaments or anything like that," said O'Loughlin. "Chris still has a bruised bone from the jarring effect of his fall, and will be out of action for around three weeks, which obviously rules him out for Sunday. But that it could have been a lot worse so we have to be thankful for that.
"Aidan Fennelly is out as well with a hamstring, although Pádraig McMahon should be okay. He had a muscle spasm in his back before the game on Sunday but he should be fine to play for this. But we won't be finalising a definite team until closer to Sunday."
O'Loughlin also confirmed that Brennan had opted off the panel for "personal reasons" and wasn't expected to figure for the rest of the season. Despite these setbacks they are still looking forward to Sunday's trip to Killarney, which marks their first non-Ulster opposition at such an advanced stage of the league or championship since 2002.
As for the final on Sunday week, the GAA confirmed yesterday that Croke Park was out, and that "because of geographic considerations in respect of the four teams who have qualified for the Division One semi-finals, a venue more convenient to supporters from the respective counties who will qualify for the final will be decided when the pairings are known.
"Similar consideration will be given to the prospective venue for the Division Two final. The Allianz Hurling League semi-finals are also scheduled for the same date and starting times generally will also be a logistical consideration when the pairings for the schedule of games are confirmed."
On that note, it also seems likely that Kilkenny's and Clare's semi-final opponents in the hurling league on Sunday week will be decided on a draw, as it was agreed in principle that teams who played in the same section of Division One (A or B) would be kept apart in the semi-finals. Victory for either Tipperary or Limerick in this Sunday's quarter-finals would match them against Clare, and if either Waterford or Offaly win they would face Kilkenny, otherwise a draw would be necessary.
Meanwhile, the Limerick footballers welcome back Eoin Keating for their Division Two semi-final against Louth at Newbridge. A shoulder injury has ruled Keating out of starting any games to date, but he replaces Michael Reidy at left corner forward for Sunday. Pat Ahern also takes over from Denis Horan at right half forward.
There are several venue changes for this weekend's games. In hurling, the Division One relegation semi-final between Down and Antrim has been switched to Omagh, and the Division Two quarter-final replay between Mayo and Meath switched to Hyde Park.
The Division Two semi-final between Dublin and Westmeath has been moved to Páirc Tailteann with a 1.30 start, and the relegation semi-final between Wicklow and Kildare will now start at 2.0 in Dr Cullen Park. The Shield semi-final between Cavan and Sligo is also switched to Carrick-on-Shannon.
The All-Ireland Colleges A finals will be played as a double bill in Dr Cullen Park, Carlow on the May Bank Holiday Monday, featuring St Patrick's (Navan) and Abbey CBS, Newry, in football and Dublin Colleges and St Flannan's in hurling.
LIMERICK (SF v Louth): S Kiely; S Gallagher, J McCarthy, P Browne, A Lane, S Lavin, C Mullane; J Stokes, J Galvin; P Ahern, T Carroll, S Buckley, M Crowley, M Gavin, E Keating.
