Championship 2014: Laois

Manager: Tomás Ó Flatharta (1st year).Titles: 6 Leinster (2003); 0 All-Ireland.2014 league: Won three matches and on the last day survived relegation to Division Three.Odds and Ends: All-Ireland 150/1; Leinster 55/1.Bookies say: Leinster quarter-final and third round qualifier.What the bookies said in 2013: Leinster semi-final and exit third round qualifiers. 2013 championship: Lost Leinster first round to Louth 0-6 to 1-16 and qualifier fourth round to Donegal, 0-08 to 0-14.First outing: v Wicklow, Aughrim, 18th May.

John O’Loughlin of Laois
John O’Loughlin of Laois

Laois have really struggled to make an impact in recent years and their best results have come in the qualifiers. Had to scramble to avoid relegation from Division Two but they did thanks to John O’Loughlin’s outstanding leadership. There’s a crisis at full back and they have Dublin on the same side of the draw.


Last good day: Beat Meath to reach the 2012 All-Ireland quarter-finals for the first time in six years.