Laois's rising ambitions to provide spur to retain title

Laois v Westmeath: After the semi-final defeat a subdued Meath manager Seán Boylan reflected on the slow but inexorable rise of Laois and Westmeath through the categories of under-age football in Leinster. It was therefore no surprise, he said, to see the counties making a move at senior level.

That progression reaches its logical conclusion tomorrow afternoon when the counties contest the Leinster final with Laois as defending champions. Yet it's not as straightforward as that. Between them the counties won three successive minor All-Irelands in the mid-1990s but of Westmeath's 1995 side, there is not a single survivor in tomorrow's starting line-up.

Laois on the other hand have nine players from the successful '96 and '97 teams, five from each year (Beano McDonald played on both). Two more played on the team that lost the 1998 minor final and of the remaining four Fergal Byron is an All Star, Ross Munnelly an All Star nominee.

The others, Mick Lawlor and Ian Fitzgerald, are experienced forwards and even if the latter's form hasn't been terrific of late, the former was excellent against Meath.

Westmeath have, coincidentally, overcome the same teams that Laois beat last year on the way to a first title in 57 years. Significantly, the matches have been close encounters, testing in different ways.

Offaly could well have won the first-round match, Dublin were a trophy scalp and despite a catastrophic start, Wexford came back and exerted pressure, forcing a response.

It is true, however, the great achievement of reaching a first provincial final in 55 years means this will be a memorable year for Westmeath even if they don't win the title and, with the best will in the world, that's not an ideal circumstance going into a big match.

Laois, on the other hand, have more elevated ambitions and will feel wretched if they lose their title unexpectedly after a year.

Mick O'Dwyer was sure that once the team had tasted success the commitment to go further would be readily forthcoming. So he was less than pleased when well-publicised outbreaks of indiscipline earlier in the year cast doubt on this assumption.

"Are these lads happy with one Leinster title?" he despairingly enquired of a local confidant. Of course they're not and there's more than enough focus in the team now. It was also apparent from last year's All-Ireland quarter-final against Armagh that Laois have the material to compete at the top level.

Throughout the team there is quality and also a useful adaptability. Against Meath, when injury forced a reshuffle in attack, the reconfigured model worked just as well if not better.

Westmeath were handed an unexpected selection problem with Rory O'Connell availing of the High Court to deal with his suspension. It wasn't expected that he'd start but he will presumably take the field at some stage despite the risky karma that entails.

This has also been a very good year for Páidí Ó Sé, who has helped tip the critical mass of Westmeath's self-confidence into the black. The team isn't in Laois's happy position of being completely injury-free and at full strength but the management have improvised well.

Furthermore they have Des Dolan in outstanding form and he takes to the biggest stage of his intercounty career tomorrow.

Although there has been talk that Joe Higgins, exceptionally good against Meath, will be switched to mark Dolan, word from Laois is that Aidan Fennelly will be left to do the marking - sensible enough given it would hardly raise Fennelly's spirits to be switched off the opposition danger man before a ball has been kicked.

This has the potential to be an entertaining match but on the basis of achievements to date, quality throughout the field and their rising ambitions, the champions have to be favoured to retain their title.

LAOIS: F Byron; A Fennelly, C Byrne, J Higgins; D Rooney, T Kelly, P McDonald; N Garvan, P Clancy; R Munnelly, B McDonald, C Conway; I Fitzgerald, C Parkinson, K Fitzpatrick.

WESTMEATH: G Connaughton; J Davitt, D O'Donoghue, J Keane; M Ennis, D Healy, D Heavin; G Dolan, D O'Shaughnessy; B Morley, P Conway, F Wilson; A Mangan, D Glennon, D Dolan.

Referee: P McEnaney (Monaghan).