Dublin v Laois: When Paul Caffrey talked about finding that small yardage of progress this year - to build on Dublin's Leinster success and possibly edge towards an All-Ireland challenge - he probably didn't think it would mean recalling Ray Cosgrove and Jason Sherlock, putting Bryan Cullen back in defence, and dropping emerging talents such as Niall O'Shea.
That's exactly what the Dublin manager has done for tomorrow's Leinster semi-final at Croke Park. Is that a reaction to the unnerving show against Longford three weeks ago? Definitely. Is this Dublin line-up better suited to beating Laois? Probably.
Cosgrove's recall surprised many (he hasn't started a championship match for Dublin since 2003, when they lost to Armagh in the qualifiers) but if recent reports are true he has been one of Dublin's best forwards in training. Players like Cosgrove, a 2002 All Star, may lose form, but don't lose experience or the ability to deal with high-pressure occasions such as tomorrow.
Sherlock also failed to make the starting line-up for the Longford game, but like Cosgrove, appeared in the second half. Mark Vaughan, the only forward to be dropped, was practically marked absent beyond his goal. Conal Keaney almost single-handedly saved Dublin and Caffrey simply had to make changes to ensure a greater scoring return.
Moving Cullen to centre back, his most natural position, makes sense, and while O'Shea was unfortunate to endure such a forgettable championship debut, Dublin's defence had to be reinforced. Paul Griffin also moves to his more familiar corner-back position, as does Coman Goggins (to wing back) - which means the only line untouched is the midfield partnership of Ciarán Whelan and Shane Ryan.
Oddly enough that's where the game could well be won and lost. Whelan is one of several Dublin players looking for a better performance tomorrow, and if Dublin do get an early grip on midfield that could well provide the platform for outright victory.
Laois, however, have two highly capable midfielders in Noel Garvan and Pádraig Clancy, who can always rely on the support of Tom Kelly at centre back. Garvan hasn't been in his best form in recent weeks, but Clancy nearly always plays well against Dublin, and as long as he doesn't get carried away in attempting long-range scores he is certain to be play a crucial role for Laois.
So to the Laois forwards, arguably the quickest in the country. Team captain Gary Kavanagh misses out with a knee injury as expected, yet Laois have simply called on the perfect replacement in Billy Sheehan, just back from injury and whose own running ability will test Dublin. With Beano McDonald looking to have regained his best form against Carlow in the quarter-final, and Donie Brennan and Ross Munnelly certain to chip in at least a couple of points each, Laois clearly have the ability to score frequently enough to win.
Both teams have the players capable of doing their job all over the field, and in style.
After seven weeks the football championship is poised to deliver its first big-time game, the sort Dublin are always capable of rising to, and probably have the greater spread of players that know how to go about wining.
DUBLIN: S Cluxton; D Henry, B Cahill, P Griffin; P Casey, B Cullen, C Goggins; C Whelan, S Ryan; C Keaney, A Brogan, K Bonner; T Quinn, R Cosgrove, J Sherlock.
LAOIS: F Byron; A Fennelly, C Ryan, P McMahon; D Rooney, T Kelly, J Higgins; P Clancy, N Garvan; R Munnelly, C Conway, B Sheehan; B McDonald, P Lawlor, D Brennan.
