IT SEEMS very odd indeed to consider that it is 10 years since Kerry last appeared in a National League final, but they are there once again following a patchy performance against a resolute Laois at Croke Park yesterday.

This match featured two converted penalties - one to each team - but, oddly enough, what came as a surprise to most was the fact that Hugh Emerson, who scored a hat-trick of goals against Derry in the quarter-final, failed to get on the scoresheet.

Emerson filled at least three positions during the match, but was verging on the anonymous in all three, as Kerry managed to snuff out the supply of the ball to the Laoisman. The Kerry full back line of Mike Hassett, Barry O'Shea and Morgan O'Shea were in an uncompromising mood, and Liam Flaherty at centre back was also in top form.

The match was played in bright sunshine but in cold, blustery conditions. The pitch was in perfect condition and was a great credit to the ground staff.

Sadly, the standard of football didn't live up to the setting and there were far too many errors in both passing and kicking.

Once again, Kerry looked to Maurice Fitzgerald for their inspiration both from play and from frees. His contribution of 2-5 was the major factor in the outcome of the game. His Laois namesake Ian Fitzgerald, wasn't far behind with a tally of 1-5, both players scoring expertly from penalty kicks in the second half.

One of the pleasant aspects of the game was some very fine high fielding in the middle of the field where Dara O Se and William Kirby got the upper hand on Tony Maher and P J Dempsey.

Yet is was the Kerry defence which really limited Laois's opportunities. Apart from the stranglehold on Emerson, the Kerrymen also cut down openings for Leo Turley and Tom Bowe and Laois never really recovered from a poor start which saw them slip behind by 1-4 to 0-0 by the 12th minute.

It had been a nervous opening for Laois as Kerry's swift passing cut swathes through their defence. The concession of frees by the Laois defence, as they tried to adjust to the pace of the game, was punished twice by Fitzgerald within the first three minutes. Fergal Byron in the Laois goal also fumbled a shot by Fitzgerald, but was let off the hook when William Kirby drove the ball wide.

Kerry's first goal arrived in the eighth minute, however, and after Denis O'Dwyer had scored Kerry's third point the Munster side came raiding again and O Se placed Rory O'Rahilly for a shot which Byron blocked. Fitzgerald followed up to sink the rebound in the net.

It needed a big effort by Laois midfielder Dempsey to get his side registered on the scoreboard and they managed to stage bit of a rally to be only 1-6 to 0-4 behind at the break.

Emerson, who had been deployed at midfield in the first half reverted to the `40' after the break, but it was Derek Conroy from centre half back who lifted Laois spirits four minutes into the half with a determined run through the middle. He smuggled the ball to Bowe, who drove for the goal. His shot was blocked and he was brought down as he tried to regain possession, and Ian Fitzgerald struck the penalty well.

The goal brought Laois within two points, 1-6 to 1-4, but O'Dwyer and Liam Hassett added points for Kerry before Fitzgerald pointed a free for Laois. Hassett added another Kerry point and Fitzgerald replied for Laois as Emerson switched to full forward.

Kirby, from play, for Kerry and Turley and Fitzgerald, from a free, for Laois left the score at 1-10 to 1-8 by the 20th minute when Maurice Fitzgerald scored a point for Kerry and Brian Clarke added another.

Turley was, at last, getting a little more space from the Kerry defence and scored his second point of the afternoon. Hassett replied. Kerry came storming back and Mike Frank Russell, who had come on as a sub for Rory O'Rahilly, was brought down by Byron as he headed for the goal. Maurice Fitzgerald struck the penalty firmly to the right hand side of Byron's net with three minutes remaining. Ian Fitzgerald's point from a free for Laois was all that was left.

Kerry will be highly pleased with this performance and can feel happy enough about taking on Cork in the final. A decision on the venue for that match will be taken on Wednesday and the likelihood is that it will be Pairc Ui Chaoimh.

As for Laois, they can look back on a respectable display. They have a young team which is developing all the time and the experience of two high-profile matches in Croke Park, including an impressive win over Derry in the quarter-final, will ease their disappointment in not quite making the final.