I expect Dublin to win this one eventually. But Laois have nothing to lose and their shooting was extremely impressive v Meath. They should have nicked in a couple of goals too. If the conditions are like they were last weekend, they will have had valuable experience in wind that the Dubs will have lacked, and this could be a huge advantage. Looking forward to it.

Donegalman (None) - Posts: 3853 - 31/07/2012 12:24:24    1234344

I think derfil1's post above is pretty spot-on!

Laois have always had decent football ability but have struggled because too many players couldn't win their own ball.
In the last 3 (well, Monaghan and Meath especially) games, we've brought a new level of physicality to the table and also had the football to outplay teams at or just below our level.

On Saturday, however, we're going to meet a team with better footballers and an athelticism and conditioning standard that will be nigh impossible to break down.
I think McNulty, despite all the flack he takes in Laois, has a system now in place that has taken a couple of years to start bearing fruit. The players trust it and are as honest and committed a bunch as we've had since '03.
Unfortunately, man for man we don't match up with the top-tier teams but the beauty of football is that we're here on merit and shouldn't be completely written off just yet...

Dublin by 13+ is a distinct possibility but if Laois can keep it to 33 minutes like Meath did, see out the first half in-touch, then who knows.....

merman (Laois) - Posts: 84 - 31/07/2012 12:35:47    1234359

This could be the surprise of the championship, it has potential to really put the wind up the jacks, they are not firing like they were this time last year, maybe they will kick into gear come sat night but i'd love to see Laois hold onto them for a while and see how they react then.

If Mayo win , i'll stay on for this one and shout for Laois .

51longago (Mayo) - Posts: 2981 - 31/07/2012 12:57:41    1234399

51longago
County: Mayo
Posts: 1758

1234399 This could be the surprise of the championship, it has potential to really put the wind up the jacks, they are not firing like they were this time last year,

Wrong

This time last year we fell over the line against Wexford in a Leinster final.

jimbodub (Dublin) - Posts: 20763 - 31/07/2012 13:04:12    1234408

31/07/2012 12:57:41
51longago
County: Mayo
Posts: 1758

1234399
This could be the surprise of the championship, it has potential to really put the wind up the jacks, they are not firing like they were this time last year, maybe they will kick into gear come sat night but i'd love to see Laois hold onto them for a while and see how they react then.

If Mayo win , i'll stay on for this one and shout for Laois .

Ah fair play to ya.

bluedubstar (Dublin) - Posts: 835 - 31/07/2012 13:04:47    1234409

jimbodub
County: Dublin
Posts: 9253

1234408
51longago
County: Mayo
Posts: 1758

1234399 This could be the surprise of the championship, it has potential to really put the wind up the jacks, they are not firing like they were this time last year,

Wrong

This time last year we fell over the line against Wexford in a Leinster final.


Yeah fair enough but my point (should of articulated it better) was more to do with how Dublin were in flying form v Tyrone at q/f stage last year, i'm not convinced they're flying this time round , their hunger will be tested if Laois can keep it tight as this is genuine knockout now.

Of course i'm going against the grain with my prediction and in all likelyhood i'll be wrong as 1/9 shots usually come in , like i said though not convinced they have the hunger and have looked lethargic in spells in attack especially.

51longago (Mayo) - Posts: 2981 - 31/07/2012 13:46:37    1234464

If we compare Dublin's Leinster Final performance in 2011 versus 2012 then it should be clear to anyone that Dublin are in much better form this year than in 2011.

Now that isn't saying much as we aren't in good form at the moment but that form is a lot better than this time last year.

MesAmis (Dublin) - Posts: 13833 - 31/07/2012 14:25:49    1234520

51longago people were saying the exact same thing about us last year and then we came out in 1/4's and blew Tyrone into next week with the best display of kick passing and movement I've ever saw a Dublin team play. The Donegal man above says we have not played in the wind & rain well unless we are training in Africa or a greenhouse how can this have any bearing?? We beat Tyrone last year on a wet and windy Saturday night !

You claim our forward play is not up to it yet we have been blasting the onion bag to bits without playing at top gear take into account Connelly one of the most gifted forwards in the modern game missed the last game and missed some of the Wexford game is back, Alan should be fit, Bernard has returned to form, O'Gara has vastly improved and played a quality assist the last day it bodes well.

Laois have a quality midfield its simply as always if we win 60/40 at midfield well then we will rack up 17+ its up to the Laois backs to stop us if they underestimate the roles Flynn and Cullen are playing for us well there is only one winner. Cluxton must improve his kickouts cause if Laois smell a weakness around the centre then we are in for a game. But saying our forwards are not playing well is a joke when you consider some of the scores we have racked up.

Bluewave (Dublin) - Posts: 552 - 31/07/2012 14:25:54    1234521

1234408
51longago
County: Mayo
Posts: 175

Yeah fair enough but my point (should of articulated it better) was more to do with how Dublin were in flying form v Tyrone at q/f stage last year, i'm not convinced they're flying this time round , their hunger will be tested if Laois can keep it tight as this is genuine knockout now.


We haven't played our q/f this year yet - you were doing your best to write us off this time last year too no doubt!

Floops (Dublin) - Posts: 1623 - 31/07/2012 14:31:27    1234533

Anyone else feel a like of hype or any sort of rivalry in this game for a q/f mite be a worry for Dublin?

pigonastick (Dublin) - Posts: 487 - 01/08/2012 17:56:58    1235876

I hope so....

merman (Laois) - Posts: 84 - 01/08/2012 18:03:24    1235882

Along with Kerry v Limerick last year, this must be the least eagerly anticpated QF ever. Hard for the Dubs to' get up' against a minnow they nearly always beat comprehenisvley in the provincial championship. Dubs will win by a few points without ever getting out of second gear, maybe even be the prospect of an upset for a while early on. Mayo or Down will put it up to them a bit more in the semi, but it's as easy a stroll to the All Ireland final as Dublin usually have to the Leinster final. Undercooked or nice and fresh for the final? We won't know until a late September Sunday afternon.

KeyserSoze (Cork) - Posts: 363 - 01/08/2012 18:17:14    1235887

Yes but I find it very hard to judge how good laois are and would hope we don't end up underestimating them and getting caught!

pigonastick (Dublin) - Posts: 487 - 01/08/2012 18:41:23    1235911

Not the ideal run in for the Dubs, we had Limerick and Mayo in 2011. We met a battle hard Dublin team, who had two fantastic wins over Donegal and Tyrone. When the final was at the coal pit, The Dubs had it. I feel the winner will come form the Hard side of the draw this year. Donegal/Kerry or Cork.

kerryrowz (Kerry) - Posts: 833 - 01/08/2012 20:08:24    1235975

I think you may be right kerryrowz....i said before the draw that we needed kerry to focus dublin on the challenge ahead! You need the big games against the big teams to test the team mentality as much as their ability! If dublin win another scrappy game without putting in a more complete performance I will be worried!

pigonastick (Dublin) - Posts: 487 - 01/08/2012 20:18:26    1235982

Dont the scrappy games stand us well though imo anyway the dubs still have to dig deep in them games fair enough we all like convincing wins but scrappy ones can sometimes test you too.without been cocky dublin knows now we can stand up to the likes of the corks kerrys and so forth so for me regardless who we play and what order its dig deep fight every battle and build momentum along the way,dont forget it was every different type of game we played last year that led us to sam.

dubbydave. (Dublin) - Posts: 3927 - 01/08/2012 20:32:55    1235989

People are saying that Laois have learned to cope with the physical stuff because they burst into a Meath team still recovering on the six day turnaround. While they lorded that I don't think they're ready for the intensity in tackling and lack of space that the Dublin middle eight bring to the table. If Dublin turn up with their game faces on and do what they do best and get in the faces of O'Loughlin, Begley and Quigley it will be game over by half time. Dublin are evens -7 in the bookies. If they don't beat that it will only be because of another instance of them taking their foot off the pedal, making subs and saving themselves for the next day but surely in August they'll start putting all their cards on the table.

doublehop (Kildare) - Posts: 4172 - 01/08/2012 21:10:16    1236026

Only 1 change EOG in for Kev Mac. A bit harsh on Kev 1 bad game and he's gone but I suppose thats inter county football for you it can be ruthless.

clondalkindub (Dublin) - Posts: 9926 - 02/08/2012 09:24:45    1236089

Huge pressure on laois for this one, desperate to get something from this year after a disastrous league campaign. Similar to meath they will raise their game when they play Dublin and get ahead of themselves looking at their next round opponents. A lot of arrogance coming from the laois camp this week.

Meanwhile, Dublin are just getting on with things, taking each game as it comes, and going by the posts on here, 95% of non-Dublin supporters don't think we'll make it past laois, let alone the likes of mayo or down. It takes the pressure off.

bangbang (Dublin) - Posts: 113 - 02/08/2012 09:47:35    1236102

clondalkindub County: Dublin Posts: 2520 1236089 Only 1 change EOG in for Kev Mac. A bit harsh on Kev 1 bad game and he's gone but I suppose thats inter county football for you it can be ruthless.

I agree. I think he has had a great year so far. Apart from Keogan against an Mhí he has given all his other markers a terrible time.

Culann (Dublin) - Posts: 2306 - 02/08/2012 10:09:44    1236116