Wicklow unlikely to surprise

Wicklow v Laois: YES, YES, Mick O'Dwyer is back to haunt another of his former counties. For all we know Wicklow will probably experience a similar misfortune in 2012 or whenever.

Laois come into the 2008 championship off a terrible league campaign in which they failed to win a single game. They have been decimated by injury and retirement but the return of Joe Higgins and Tom Kelly is a positive.

Higgins must assist a debutant goalkeeper, Michael Nolan, and full backs, Cahir Healy and Mark Timmons. The wing backs Kelly and Pádraig McMahon make up a solid half-back line with the imposing Darren Rooney.

It's in the midfield bear pit that it could all disintegrate. With Brendan Quigley, Noel Garvan and Pádraig Clancy all ruled out. Two more new boys, John O'Loughlin and Kevin Meaney, will be hard pressed to contain the marauding Wicklow pair of James Stafford and Thomas Walsh.

It comes back to supply and demand. Rooney and Kelly may well involve themselves in the middle third and, should enough breaking ball find its way to Ross Munnelly and MJ Tierney, Laois can halt Wicklow's progress.

Wicklow must also improve on the slow start against Kildare. It won't be tolerated here.

An upset is eminently possible, but the feeling that there is more at stake for Laois football and that the Kearns tenure is under the microscope against his predecessor should provide enough motivation to see them into a semi-final against either Meath or Wexford.

LAOIS: M Nolan; C Healy, M Timmons, J Higgins; T Kelly, D Rooney, P McMahon; K Meaney, J O'Loughlin; R Munnelly, B McCormack, B Sheehan; MJ Tierney, C Kelly (St Joseph's), C Parkinson.

WICKLOW: M Travers; C Hyland, D Power, A Byrne; M McLoughlin, D Ó hAnnaidh, P Dalton; T Walsh, J Stafford; T Hannon, L Glynn, JP Dalton; D Odlum, S Furlong, P Earls.

Referee: P McEnaney (Monaghan).

Guidelines

In the last episode: Laois had few problems in 2002 against a game yet poor Wicklow team at tonight's venue. The 3-6 to 0-8 scoreline had them pulling up way before the finish. A year later, Mick O'Dwyer arrived, bringing the glory days with him.

You bet: Wicklow are worth a look here as they carry a four-point handicap, at 10 to 11, into this game. Laois are 11 to 10 with the handicap while it's 15 to 2 for a draw. If straight shooting, Laois are 2-7 and Wicklow 10-3, and it is 8-1 for a draw.

On your marks: If this match is to be decided around midfield, Laois require the burgeoning talent of John O'Loughlin to reach full maturity this evening. The Wicklow duo, Stafford and Walsh, arrive full of confidence having gained parity over the Kildare veterans Killian Brennan and Dermot Early.

Gaining ground: Dr Cullen Park is an easily accessible Midlands venue that caters for 21,000.

Just the ticket: Covered stand costs €20 and terrace €15. Forget about the stand as it's sold out, but there should be plenty of room elsewhere. Tickets are available at the gate.

Crystal gazing: Laois, with Pádraig Clancy, would have been a safe bet but if Wicklow bring their Croke Park form to Carlow, another surprise is possible, but not likely.