Laois rely on youth to create tradition

Michael Demspey has witnessed decades of Leinster football as an outsider, a Laois man fretting on the periphery and listening to the distant din of celebration reverberating around Dublin, Offaly and, most lately, Meath.

A hunger for success and a faith that his county had the ability to claw itself onto higher plains sustained him through his playing days but little things always let them down, as though tradition alone decreed that his county should be shunted towards the cold. And so he has put his faith in youth, who are unblighted by the county's failure to take the small step towards the bright lights.

"I suppose there is always a certain amount of curiosity and excitement when a team is picked in the county, but, no, I don't think too many people will be surprised by the side I've picked for Sunday," he offers this week, juggling phones and responses as public interest intensifies.

So successful has Laois's underage programme been that many of the debutants are already established names - Colm Parkinson, Noel Garvan and Kevin Fitzpatrick are well acquainted with Croke Park and pressure games. Laois have, after all, won the last two minor All-Ireland titles, and reached the under-21 final this year.

"Yeah, Cumann na mBunscol and people like Gabriel Lawlor have done untold work at underage level. These people have been very committed but the county has been fortunate in that a number of talented players came along at the same time."

Although the common perception is that Dempsey is throwing his youngsters in at the deep end with an eye on the big picture, the manager himself is unequivocal about his immediate ambitions.

"I think it's important that Laois football takes that step forward. I really feel that there has been a 10 per cent difference in us and other teams over the past while. We have had decent teams here before. We reached provincial finals in 1981, 1985 and 1991. I played on a Laois team that won the National League in 1986. The following year, Meath beat us in the championship and went on to win the All-Ireland."

Among the 50,000-odd population of Laois many are passionate about their sport, but the county has a strong divide between hurling and football. For a football man, that competition for playing resources is hard to afford. But most summers the heartland set out with optimism only to find themselves facing annual disenchantment, with another avoidable semi-final exit, the game turning on small things.

"Until we make that breakthrough - and by that I mean a provincial title - it is understandable if the public are a little cynical towards us. I mean, huge frustration can set in."

And this year, there is optimism, if guarded. Laois and Westmeath will joust at Croke Park just after lunchtime on Sunday, billed as an attractive pulse-warmer before the earth trembles under the very promise of Dublin and Kildare. Does it irk Laois, playing once more under the shadow of tradition?

"Not at all, obviously there is going to be huge interest in that match, something which probably suits both ourselves and Westmeath. People expect those two teams and Meath to be thereabouts. Being realistic, I feel we have a good chance but, again, we have to take that step."

The team found themselves under considerable pressure throughout the National League, according to Dempsey, being one of those sides caught by the innovative reshuffle. Having gained promotion to the top, they found that their schedule did not provide constant Division One opposition and slipped back down despite just one loss.

Also, he has been forced to deal with a number of defections. Martin Delaney, a first choice at number six, is spending the summer in the States, while Derek Conroy has decided to take a break from the game. And although Larry Keenan, another member of the under-21 yield, has recently returned from America, he remains ineligible for Sunday's game.

"Overall, though, preparation has been going well and I am pleased with the attitude of the players. I am expecting an open game of football but we will be wary of Westmeath, they are certain to have very strong self belief, coming on the back of two wins (in the preliminary rounds)."

But two wins in Leinster is relatively small beer, as Laois well know. Only five senior teams have ever represented the province at All-Ireland level and for 52 years Laois have been confined within its borders.

Tradition, though, has to begin somewhere, and so Michael Dempsey rests his faith on young shoulders.