Offaly v Laois
Today, Tullamore, 3.40 p.m.
Those who have been a little sceptical about Mick O'Dwyer's chances of getting Laois fully on-message will have been gravely nodding their heads over the past week. A lacklustre performance culminating in a fortuitous draw was followed by some old-style dissidence from players who had been replaced during the match.
The doyen of football managers can reflect that, when you're not blessed with the twin co-ordinates he had in Kerry, lack of abundant talent isn't necessarily harder to compensate for than lack of unwavering focus - regardless of what he might wistfully have believed in Kildare.
The surprise last week wasn't that Offaly were competitive and well prepared by Paul O'Kelly; it was that Laois responded so anaemically. Maybe it was unlucky that the team's vulnerability at centre back became so influential but there were also poor displays by their capable centrefield and admittedly under-strength attack, with the exception of Michael Lawlor's match-saving contribution.
Central to this afternoon's prospects will be the extent to which Offaly can maintain their momentum after what was - regardless of the last-gasp deliverance - a disheartening failure to win. The belief here is Offaly start from a firmer base. They have proven performers strategically placed throughout the team, from Cathal Daly at corner back to Vinny Claffey, a comforting option at corner forward even allowing for teenager Niall McNamee's impressive debut.
They also have a game plan that Laois had difficulty in countering, apart from during the third quarter when some shrewd adjustments by O'Dwyer brought them back into the reckoning before falling away again. On the down-side for Offaly, their record in replays they could have won the first day isn't great, as demonstrated by Kildare last year and in 2000.
After the draw, O'Kelly was convinced Offaly would get better whereas O'Dwyer laughed it off and said that there was always room for improvement.
He knows, though, his team have failed to find it over the past three matches. Offaly to advance.
- Seán Moran