LEINSTER SHC QUARTER-FINAL/Dublin v Laois:FOR ALL of Dublin's progress over the past decade, the last four ties against Laois have produced two wins apiece. Having handled both Carlow and the tag of favourites in the preliminary round, Niall Rigney's team are in the relaxed position of being outsiders.
There are two ways of looking at the win over Carlow: either the team were playing with one eye on a likely date with Dublin or it was a flat start to the championship.
The low scoring should be seen in the context of Carlow’s good defence but Laois were still disappointed with their total.
It could have been worse, having trailed at the interval, but they pulled critically clear in the first 10 minutes after half-time. Having an outing under their belt gives Laois an advantage but Dublin have been hurling, by and large competitively, in the top division throughout the spring.
The loss of David Treacy removes the team’s most potent threat in open play last year but there are forwards to take up the challenge with Paul Ryan emerging during the league.
Shane Durkin and John McCaffrey have also been really consistent and have the ability to be influential both in stopping Laois taking a foothold and in maintaining a supply for the forwards.
Laois are missing the suspended Eoin Costelloe, which diminishes their scoring threat, and all indications are that they’ll find this hard going even if they rise to the challenge.
DUBLIN: G Maguire; N Corcoran, T Brady, O Gough; S Hiney, J Boland, M O’Brien; J Mc Caffrey, S Durkin; P Kelly, L Rushe, P Ryan; D O’Callaghan, S Lambert, A McCrabbe.
LAOIS: E Reilly; JA Delaney, D Maher, C Healy; B Campion (capt.), M Whelan, M McEvoy; C Dunne, J Walsh; J Fitzpatrick, Z Keenan, W Hyland; T Fitzgerald, N Foyle, J Brophy.
Referee: Cathal McAllister (Cork)
In the last episode:Five years ago a reasonably well-fancied Dublin tumbled to a four-goal shellacking.
You bet: Dublin 1/6, Laois 4/1 and 14/1 the draw (70 minutes).
On your marks: Dublin must maintain a grip on the middle third, through which Jim Fitzpatrick's penetrating runs charted the win over Carlow.
Gaining ground:The current Dublin team's breakthrough victory in championship came at Nowlan Park last year with the win over Wexford that took them to a first Leinster final in 18 years. The venue was also where Laois recorded their 2005 victory when the the counties last met.
Just the ticket: Walsh Stand tickets (€20 – no concessions), Grace and Carroll Stands (€20), Family tickets for the stand (adults €20 and children €5) and terrace (adults €15 and children €3). Terrace (€15). Students and OAPs can get €10 rebate on stand tickets and €5 on terrace tickets.
Crystal gazing:Dublin with a bit to spare.
