"In the process of Kerry football you have to suffer a lot before you enjoy victory."

Former Kerry goalkeeper Charlie Nelligan could have been speaking on behalf of the senior team while trying to come to terms with a third defeat for his charges in the All-Ireland minor semi-final at Croke Park yesterday.

It's a case of onward march for Laois, now in search of a third successive under-18 title.

Brian McDonald is assured of a place among the Delaneys and Tommy Murphy in Laois football folklore.

"It's unbelievable, just like a lifetime dream come true to be playing in a third final," said McDonald. The Arles youngster's craft in supplying the deft pass and taking points himself again played a major part in victory.

McDonald divulged part of the secret of the astonishing run of successes. "We are always told going out, to play like winners and keep on playing to our strengths and let the opposition worry about us."

Kerry had the Laois defence worried in the first half. Their ploy to switch positions was working so well that Laois goalkeeper Willie Moran was under pressure.

The pace of the game alone made it exciting to watch. Laois captain John Behan, his midfield partners Brian Fitzpatrick, Mark Dunne, Kieran Kelly and Brian McDonald, emerged as the driving forces.

Stephen O'Sullivan, the Kerry full back Eoin Brosnan, Sean O'Sullivan and roaming full forward Liam Boyle impressed for Kerry.

An exchange of goals, the first by Kerry's Paul Galvin for a 1-2 to 0-3 lead in 17 minutes and the second by Laois corner forward Michael Clancy eight minutes later stoked up a match that was already on fire. Clancy's opportunist goal restored the Laois lead, but a third first-half goal, the result of a classy move between Kerry's Kevin Lynch and Liam Boyle, the finisher, gave Kerry the advantage at half-time, 2-2 to 1-4.

Brian Fitzpatrick, Brian McDonald and Kieran Kelly, the three survivors of last year's starting 15, shared in a defiant second-half display by Laois against the wind.

These three notched early second-half scores that transformed Laois's deficit into a two-point lead within 10 minutes of the restart. Willie Moran kept a good shot by Paul Galvin out, but Boyle narrowed the gap in a desperate Kerry attack, to a point inside the last quarter.

Brian McDonald, however, steered Laois out of trouble with a point from an acute angle, and a perfect pass to set up Mark Dunne for the last point of the match in response to Kerry's third and final point from a free by Sean O'Sullivan.

Just on the final whistle Kerry midfielder Eoin Brosnan was sent off for a second bookable offence.

Laois: W Moran; R Jones, B Gaynor, C Clear; A Fennelly, P Leonard, B McCormack; B Fitzpatrick (0-2), J Behan; M Dunne (0-2), K Kelly (0-2), J M McDonald (0-1), P Clancy, B McDonald (0-3), M Clancy (1-0). Subs: E Browne for McCormack (40 mins), D Miller for Behan (58 mins).

Kerry: K Cremin; R O Connor (Ballyduff), S O'Sullivan, K Moynihan; M O Se, L Keane, R O'Connor (Kilcummin); E Brosnan, E Courtney; T Kennelly, P Galvin (1-0), S O'Sullivan (0-3 one free), R O'Connor (St Michael's) (0-1), L Boyle (1-1), K Lynch. Subs: A O'Mahoney for R O'Connor (Kilcummin), J O'Donoghue for Lynch, K O'Connor for Courtney (58 mins). Referee: E Neary (Sligo).