Leinster SFC Quarter-final/Laois v Carlow: Although Carlow had Wicklow well beaten long before the end of their Leinster first-round meeting a fortnight ago, it was still a nice opener to their championship. So much of Carlow's game depends on confidence and in that regard the Wicklow victory will have served them well.
Unfortunately for them, that's the only real advantage they have. As well as enjoying the home surroundings, Laois look stronger in every area of the field and, unless they perform well under-par tomorrow afternoon, they should progress to the semi-final in Croke Park on June 25th.
Manager Mick O'Dwyer has had some injury concerns, and the loss of forward Billy Sheehan through a groin injury deprives Laois of possibly their main playmaker. Yet they should easily cope without him on this occasion, with Chris Conway well able for the centre-forward role alongside Ross Munnelly and Gary Kavanagh. Paul Lawlor gets his first championship start in the forward line, with Donie Brennan in the left corner. Brian McDonald has recovered his old form and balances that youth with his experience.
The midfield pairing of Noel Garvan and Pádraic Clancy are particularly strong, yet Carlow have a useful duo of their own in the Walsh brothers, Patrick and Thomas, from Fenagh. Thomas Walsh scored a stunning goal against Wicklow and, if he can produce similar running at Laois, he will test their defence.
Up front Carlow also have some fine talents in Simon Rea, Alan Kelly and Bryan Carberry - all three of which also collected goals against Wicklow. Manager Liam Hayes has made three changes from the last day, with full back Mark Brennan ruled out through suspension. Brian Farrell takes over. Corner forward Brian Murphy is also called up, while Cormac McCarthy replaces defender Barry English.
Yet Carlow won't be too far off their level of fitness. Hayes has called in athletics coach Jim Kilty to help work on that department. However, it's just hard to see how Carlow can win it.
LAOIS: F Byron; A Fennelly, C Ryan, P McMahon; D Rooney, T Kelly, J Higgins; N Garvan, P Clancy; R Munnelly, C Conway, G Kavanagh; B McDonald, P Lawlor, D Brennan.
CARLOW: J Brennan; C McCarthy, B Farrell, T Smith; J Hayden, J Byrne, J Ryan; P Walsh, T Walsh; B Carberry, M Carpenter, P Hickey; B Murphy, S Rea, A Kelly.
