All-Ireland MFC semi-final Preview/Laois v Kerry: The laws of GAA physics dictate that past success is by no means a guarantee of victory.
If it were, both Kerry and Laois could waltz into tomorrow's minor football championship semi-final with one eye on the final.
However, the double All-Ireland-winning Laois teams of the late 90s are all grown up now, while the multitude of past glories achieved in the green and gold jersey will be irrelevant come 1.45 p.m. in Croke Park tomorrow.
The ghosts of titles past may weigh heavily on the young shoulders involved yet at the same time serve as a motivational tool, something to aspire too.
Laois didn't hit their full capabilities in the Leinster final defeat to Dublin, yet still only lost by two points. At the very least the defeat gave them exposure to the difficulties involved in playing at headquarters.
Many in the midlands believe this is the best lot Laois have produced since Martin Delaney's class of 96 made it to the Promised Land.
Donal Brennan is a talented corner forward while Michael Tierney, captain Peter McNulty and Colm Kelly provide an able supporting cast in the attack.
They all showed what they could do in the quarter-final with a comprehensive victory over the Ulster champions, Tyrone, thus atoning for the Dublin match while at the same time throwing down the gauntlet to all comers.
Kerry beat a hotly tipped Cork outfit in the Munster decider to show they, too, are an imperious presence in full flow.
As usual they will be bringing a plethora of prolific forwards into battle. Mickey Bowler, Dan Doona and Bryan Sheehan will be aiming to cause havoc.
Sheehan is the primary threat. He has finally been released from between the posts, where he represented the minors for the previous two years. In the previous round, the St Mary's Cahersiveen player almost single-handedly dispensed with Mayo, scoring 2-5 in a 2-10 to 1-8 victory.
Manager Pat O'Shea has the advantage of first-hand knowledge of the Laois contingent from his position as under-17 International Rules manager. Centre forward Colm Kelly, no relation to his aforementioned namesake, and substitute Ian Fleming have both played under him.
If Laois can suppress Sheehan and counteract Damien Breen's presence in midfield a shaky looking Kingdom could crumble as the Laois football story goes on. Expect a thriller.
KERRY (MF v Laois): B Kealy; M Curran, L Quinn, P Reidy; C Kelliher, S O'Sullivan, J McGillacuddy; D Breen, B Moran; M Murphy, B O'Grady, M Bowler; D Doona (capt), B Sheehan, D Geaney.
LAOIS (MF v Kerry): C Gorman; C Healy, C Ryan, R Stapleton; P O'Leary, C Begley, N Donagher; C Rogers, B Quigley; M Tierney, C Kelly, P McNulty; D Brennan, C Bergin, C Kelly.
