THE focus in Laois GAA circles over the past few weeks has been on the possibility of an historic All Ireland football `mixed double' for the county. The feat can be completed by their well prepared women's senior football team with victory over Monaghan in the decider at Croke Park tomorrow.
Celebrations following the recent minor football success, a unique achievement for the county, have not quite ceased. The legacy of that initial triumph could play a major role in generating higher levels of confidence and a stronger self belief in the women's team, which could atone for morale shattering defeats in earlier deciders this decade.
The Leinster champions would have noted, not without some concern, that the semi final victims of tomorrow's opponents Monaghan, were Waterford the dominant county of recent times. The Munster county had proved the big stumbling block for tomorrow's finalists from the beginning of the decade.
The fact that Monaghan have succeeded in ending Waterford's reign gives the northern county a huge confidence boost ahead of tomorrow's big match.
Laois can counter this psychological advantage with the inclusion of Sue Ramsbottom in the front line of their attack. The formidable Laois full forward is a lieutenant in the Army, and is well prepared to resume active duty as the general in chief of her team's forward division.
Ramsbottom has proved a significant inspiration to a responsive Laois outfit all season and the experience of Connie Conway is bound to add to Laois's attacking strength.
Conway's inclusion is one of two changes in the Laois attack. Linda Brennan is also recalled to the half forward line. This means that Denise Langton and teenager Serena King have been relegated to the bench.
Should the Laois attack reach its full potential it could contribute to a high scoring game, for Monaghan include the championship's top scorers this season in full forward Dianne Dempsey and centre half forward Angela Larkin.
Between them they have amassed an impressive total of 88 points so far.
Accuracy such as this places obvious pressures on the Laois defence, but the Leinster champions' rearguard has generally proved itself to be a tight marking and well co ordinated unit all season.
The Monaghan defence shows one change from that which started against Waterford. Eileen McElvaney earned her retention with a convincing display at right corner back after replacing the unlucky Catherine Finnegan.
Intent on leaving nothing to chance in their bid to redress the disappointing defeats of the past two years, Monaghan have also reshuffled their attack.
Team captain Margaret Kearns switches out from the right corner to the wing and Pauline Woods moves inside.
The junior final curtain raiser provides a particularly interesting clash between Clare and Longford.
