HAVING topped Division One last season, Laois footballers are looking at the strong possibility of relegation this weekend when All-Ireland finalists Tyrone visit Portlaoise for the last regulation match of the League.

Manager Colm Browne is disappointed but not dejected by the unimpressive campaign to date. "It's been disjointed. At the start" of the year our aim was to qualify for the play-offs, but if we could win on Sunday and stay in Division One, I'd be happy."

The team has reached the League semi-finals for the last two years, but hasn't managed to make an impact on the Leinster championship. Nonetheless, Browne believes that doing well in the League has been beneficial.

"I think it does make a difference. What would have been better for us would have been to have gone on and won the League, but even playing at a higher level has been important for the development of individuals and the team. The way I look at it is that a team is guaranteed eight matches a year and seven of them are in the League. It's important, especially for teams that are developing, to play against as many good teams as possible.

"It's said in Laois that going far in the League didn't help us in the championship, but I don't subscribe to that. A county like Laois must give itself every chance to win. If we could have won the League, we'd be more advanced.

"We have fallen short in the championship over the last two years and been beaten by Meath and Dublin. But you couldn't attribute those defeats to having reached the League semi-finals. It's better to have done it than not to have done it. We weren't good enough in the last two championships, but I feel we're inching forward.

"Before, the personnel was not strong enough - and that was a key factor in not beating Meath and Dublin; the panel is now stronger. There are some very good young players coming up and more strength-in-depth. If you look at the team in 1994, there were changes for `95. I'm sure there'll be more in `96 and that we'll be strengthened by those changes.

"In our minds, we've a good idea of our best team, but we're striving for a strong panel. Rarely can you have exactly who you want on a team. Loss of form and injuries can prevent that happening.

Among the new faces on the team is Ian Fitzgerald from last year's minor team. A prolific scorer, he has been obliged to take on major responsibilities with Trinity College, where he holds the first TCD football scholarship, and indeed the country seniors.

"We've had to play him because of the position we're in. I'd have preferred to use him in the odd game, but we've had to throw him in the deep end. He's had to do more than an 18-year-old should be expected to do.

"He'd settle in more easily if the team was winning but has a great attitude and potential. Another year and he'll be filled out, he's a terrific prospect."

Browne acknowledges that progressing in the League is something that Laois shouldn't take for granted and that this is one of the main lessons of the season.

"What we've learnt is that a county like, Laois, whose resources aren't as great as other counties, can't afford to coast in the first division. You have to have a very strong work ethic to survive.

"In terms of preparation and current form, our performances have been disjointed in the previous six games. We haven't been firing on all cylinders.

"Tony Maher missed the first two League games because of suspension and now he's again unavailable, which is a huge blow because he's been our established midfielder. Damien Delaney hasn't been in the best of form since the Dublin match (last summer) and has only just pulled out of it.

"Tom Bowe and Eamonn Delaney have been out with knee injuries and George Doyle is in Australia. I'm not overly concerned, but would definitely like to stay in Division One."