IN A way it was grossly unfair to spring a substitute from the bench in injury time and ask him to attempt the equalising point from a free with the last kick of the match. But it seemed part and parcel of the mix in a truly memorable All Ireland minor football semi final at Croke Park yesterday.
The onus was placed on John McLoone to save a Donegal side that had squandered its way out of contention with a match tally of 10 mostly bizarre wides against two for Laois.
McLoone shaped up to the task just outside the 20 metre line towards the right of the posts at the Canal End and to a backdrop of tense silence.
Alas, his kick was short and Laois goalkeeper Robert Darby collected authoritatively before clearing to the sweet sound of the final whistle.
Donegal's dominance in the second half and the brilliance of attacking wing back Gerard Cannon threatened to bring about the downfall of Laois, who had set the pace in the first half.
But the absence of a reliable place kicker in the Donegal team militated conclusively against the Ulster champions' bid. David McGinley's efforts with his right foot were highly erratic, and McLoone's last ditch left footed kick merely fitted into the sorry pattern. Donegal would have deserved a draw on the merit of their second half performance (shooting apart).
Full marks to a Laois defence which carried this team into the final against Kerry. Not one of the six Laois backs could be faulted. They harried and closed down the fast moving but over elaborate Donegal attack in prime style.
Donegal seemed to mistrust the long ball. They generally sustained passing movements until the player in possession was bottled up.
The Laois tactics were brilliantly deployed in a huge team effort that often saw as many as 3 of their players funnelling back into their own half to crowd out the Donegal danger.
The one time that Donegal did use the long ball, with five minutes remaining, they scored their goal. Substitute Aodh Brennan combined with corner forward Joel Car before lashing to the net, to leave only one point between the teams.
In the first half the Leinster champions had been inspired by a superb defence. Half backs Niall Collins, Derek Conroy and Colm Parkinson built a huge barricade. Midfielders Martin Delaney and Noel Garvan were hugely effective and hungry for work. Chris Conway (in this half) was an inspiring attack leader and the two Laois goals came through the agency of Stephen Kelly and Kevin Fitzpatrick on the left wing.
The Laois goals, which gave the side a 2-5 to 0-4 interval lead, were the result of defensive errors. Kelly had the first in the second minute while the unmarked Fitzpatrick benefited from Danny Doogue's cross for the second after 16 minutes.
