While there is every possibility that this will turn into the usual turkey shoot – Laois’s average winning margin over Carlow this century is a shade over seven points – there is no denying that Carlow have made some progress.
Turlough O’Brien’s first year has been eventful at least and away from his sideline ban, the fact that he has tightened up the Carlow defence considerably is to his great credit.
Mean defence
Across the divisions, only Dublin conceded fewer goals during the league.
Whatever their level of opposition, for Carlow to be near the top of any metric is a step forward and unquestionably something to build on.
The issue, as ever, is where their scores are likely to come from.
Daniel St Ledger is a forceful proposition getting forward from the half-back line, but that's no basis on which to build a scoring total.
They’re severely lacking in experience and edge in the full-forward line and Carlow supporters appear to be all out of tears to shed for the continued absence of Brendan Murphy.
At a stretch, we could point to Laois’s occasional tendency to be caught cold at this time of year.
Louth and Longford both took them when they weren’t supposed to in early summer in recent times. But it’s straw- clutching at best to posit a repeat here.
Laois ought to be in decent fettle.
Power and wiles
There won’t be too many more experienced teams fielded this summer, nor many boasting the sort of power and wiles around the middle of the pitch as that offered by
Darren Strong
, John O’Loughlin, Brendan Quigley and Colm Begley.
Evan O'Carroll has had his couple of years to settle in at this level and they'll be looking to him to kick on now.
The inside line of Ross Munnelly plus the two Kingstons looks more than dependable.
Should be a straightforward enough piece of business for Tomás Ó Flatharta’s side, all things considered.
THE LOWDOWN
Last meeting: June 28th, 2013, All-Ireland Qualifier first round, Dr Cullen Park, Carlow - Carlow 0-12 Laois 3-13.
Match odds: Carlow 6/1; Laois 2/9; Draw 14/1.
Injuries: Paul Begley (hip) is out for Laois; Carlow report no injury worries.
Laois: Graham Brody; Damien O'Connor, Mark Timmons, Stephen Attride; Darren Strong, Robbie Kehoe, Colm Begley; Brendan Quigley, John O'Loughlin; Niall Donoher, Conor Boyle, Evan O'Carroll; Ross Munnelly, Donie Kingston, Paul Kingston.
Carlow: Robbie Molloy; Barry John Molloy, Shane Redmond, Kieran Nolan; Mark Fitzgerald, Daniel St Ledger, Benny Kavanagh; Seán Gannon, Darragh Foley; Ciarán Moran, Eoghan Ruth, David Bambrick; Alan Kelly, Ed Finnegan, Darragh O'Brien.
Just the ticket: Adults €20 (stand), €10 (terrace), Juveniles €5 (stand), €3 (terrace).
Referee: Paddy Neilan (Roscommon).
Verdict: Laois.
