Analysis: Dublin must get enormous credit for refusing to lie down. The close finishes against Meath and Wexford stood to them this time as with 10 minutes to play, it looked like Laois were destined to be crowned Leinster champions.

Although Dublin should have been eight points clear by half-time yesterday, they did progress enormously as a team.

They have developed an impeccable character. They never panicked and there was good leadership, particularly from Ciarán Whelan. This was evident thoughout the whole team and as the game slipped into injury-time Alan Brogan and Tomás Quinn kept their composure.

The same cannot be said of Laois. The intensity with which they played the game in the second half eventually saw them run out of steam just yards from the finish line. The lack of quality substitutes, Donie Brennan aside, meant they could never inject new life into their play when it was most needed.

Some of the Dublin substitutions didn't work either as Senan Connell and Darren Homan had minimum impact. However, Peadar Andrews was solid when he came in for Paddy Christie, while Barry Cahill coped well with the switch to full back.

Laois did come out after the break a lot more relaxed. Pádraig Clancy and Noel Garvan really began to dictate matters at midfield and although Whelan was steady throughout - coming up trumps towards the end - Shane Ryan left too much space around the middle third.

The crucial point in the contest seemed to be when Chris Conway put Laois two points clear with eight minutes remaining. There seemed to be an over-confidence and a premature show of elation. Maybe Laois felt they had it won.

That shows a lack of experience from a team who haven't been in that position before.

These Dublin players have learned the hard way about playing to the death. They used to fade out but that has changed this year. It is a lesson that Laois will have to learn.

On a positive note, Ross Munnelly produced the performance of the championship thus far. Right through the game, even when Laois were going badly, his bursts of energy cajoled Laois along.

Billy Sheehan can also take credit for the second-half display. He played an enormous amount of ball and never stopped running. Brennan, as well, was superb when he came on. He is so difficult to get to grips with because of his natural speed off the mark and he knows where the posts are.

Considering Dublin's utter dominance in the first half, the game should have been over before this trio kick-started the revival.

Laois were caught out by the occasion early on, while Dublin settled perfectly into the routine of playing in front of a packed Croke Park.

The best comparison in this regard was the two full-forward lines. Dublin excelled in the industry stakes and the cross-field runs of Jason Sherlock caused plenty of damage. Against that, Beano McDonald struggled throughout. Laois people can only imagine what might have been if they had the old Beano yesterday. He was way off the pace.

Kevin Fitzpatrick was dragged too far out the field and Laois badly lost their shape in the opening half. They didn't seem capable of mounting a threatening attack, apart from one occasion when Stephen Cluxton made a vital save.

Dublin were beating their men to ball all over the pitch, particularly in the backline where they had luxurious amounts of time to set up new attacks. Up the other end, the Dublin forwards were hassling the lethargic Laois defenders.

Quinn, rightly, comes out the hero but if he had not missed so many early placed-balls he would not have needed to kick the late free and even later 45. Ironically, he kept Laois in the game. But he kept his nerve when it mattered.

Credit to Pillar Caffrey and the management as they have instilled a unity not seen in the capital for some time, but Dublin are still a work in progress.

Considering all the good work the backs are doing, the forwards need to be more clinical. Conal Keaney, Quinn (from play) and Bryan Cullen all need to go up another level. And they can.

Crucially, this Dublin team are learning to correct their deficiencies and are nearing their peak.

It will be very difficult for Laois to pick themselves up although they will be formidable opponents in the qualifiers and should make the quarter-finals.