GAELIC GAMES:NOT EVERYONE is comfortable with the idea of an Ulster man in charge of Laois football, but there's no denying Justin McNulty has had the desired effect. He's beefed them up, revived their spirits, and instilled a new-found determination that has already assured them a place in Division One next season – same as Donegal, naturally
Furthermore their impressive fitness and physicality will be on full display in Croke Park tomorrow and certain to give Donegal another severe test – just like they did when beating them in Portlaoise just two weeks ago in the final round of the league.
That was Donegal’s only defeat of their campaign, and truth is they were more considerably out-played than the four-point deficit suggested.
McNulty has announced an unchanged Laois team from the last day, and it seems the former Armagh All-Ireland winner isn’t far off his championship line-up. Pádraig Clancy has rediscovered his verve at midfield alongside Brendan Quigley, with Colm Begley now expressing his talents at wing forward.
Their defence is soundly built around the likes of Denis Booth, Kevin Meaney and the aptly-named Darren Strong, while up front MJ Tierney has further developed his place-kicking to the point that he hardly misses, no matter what the distance or angle.
Tierney hit 1-10 against Donegal the last day, all 10 points coming from placed balls, and has overcome a slight hamstring concern to line out again in the right corner alongside Billy Sheehan and Ross Munnelly. Clearly one of Donegal’s main concerns will be limiting his impact by cutting down on the number of frees being conceded – easier said that done under modern refereeing.
Donegal’s other concern is how to balance their efforts here with the championship date against Antrim just three weeks later. Manager Jim McGuinness has already had a number of injury concerns, although forward and captain Michael Murphy is passed fit to start – as is Karl Lacey, Paddy McGrath, Kevin Cassidy, and Mark McHugh.
And they didn’t score 7-90 in their seven league games by accident, and Colm McFaddan and Dermot Molloy are also capable of damaging the Laois defence if given half the chance. The likelihood, however, is that Laois can afford to play with more fearlessness and abandon and with that claim their first piece of national senior silverware in eight years.
LAOIS: E Culleton; D Booth, K Meaney, M Timmons; D Strong, S Julian, P O’Leary; P Clancy, B Quigley; C Begley, J O’Loughlin, N Donoher; R Munnelly, B Sheehan, MJ Tierney.
DONEGAL: P Durkan; P McGrath, N McGee, K Lacey; A Thompson, F McFlynn, K Cassidy; R Kavanagh, M McElhinney; M Hegarty, M McHugh, D Molloy; R Bradley, M Murphy, C McFadden.
Referee: M Duffy (Sligo).
