There comes a time when the same rules don't apply. The prevailing view of the drawn Dublin-Laois match was that Laois had blown their chances by squandering a four-point lead in the closing minutes. On one level this replay fits the usual profile of such situations. Underdogs get their opportunity, don't take it and are made to regret that on the second day.

Yet sound reasons exist for believing the opposite in this case. The biggest lead lost on the day was Dublin's when they allowed their initial six-point margin evaporate. In the end they were saved by the wit of Ian Robertson. His goal showed a sense of purpose otherwise missing in the attack and the equalising point - albeit from an invalid pick-up - was the product of clear-headedness.

Apart from the opening quarter when the moves strung together were incisive and well finished, Dublin struggled. The forwards and centrefield under-performed and whereas some improvement might be expected in those sectors, it was defensively that the team was in real trouble.

This was particularly alarming because although it had been suspected that there were weaknesses in the full-back line, the half backs were supposed to be fairly solid. It was the one line in the team which appeared to have been settled early on this year.

Now it is in tatters: Robertson has been deputed to the attack and is clearly indispensable there, Paul Croft is out-of-sorts after his three-month suspension and Paul Curran has broken his collarbone. Tomorrow Jon McGee is handed the centre-back jersey for the first time in a championship match and carries the responsibility of shoring up the biggest disaster area created by the drawn match.

Look at it from Laois's point of view. They are not the usual underdogs coming tantalisingly close to clipping Dublin. The team is largely composed of players who have established a formidable track record at under-age level, have no history of suffering at Dublin's hands, and have yet to lose a match at Croke Park.

Accept that their first senior match with Dublin might have created some apprehension and consider what subsequently happened. They reeled back a six-point deficit and were superior for the whole second half. It is reasonable to believe that any inhibitions they had entering the first match are gone.

A guest in the hospitality area after the draw remarked that whereas the Laois players congregated in a big, good-humoured gathering, Dublin were scattered around in small groups. This fits in with the reports of agitation concerning - of all things - leisurewear. Lack of cohesion under pressure in matches if unremedied will gift the team plenty of leisure time in which to model the appropriate clothing.

There are a couple of possible comforts for Dublin. Experience teaches us that Laois are never beyond blowing up in a big match but for the reasons stated, this is felt to be less likely with the current team. Dublin's inconsistency has also cut both ways and they convincingly beat Armagh in the league semi-final replay.

Nonetheless, Laois look a better team and an improving team and no one should be terribly surprised if they progress to a Leinster final meeting with Meath.

DUBLIN: D Byrne; P Moran, P Christie, T Lynch; P Croft, J McGee, K Galvin; C Whelan, B Stynes; D Darcy, D Farrell (c), E Sheehy; J Gavin, I Robertson, J Sherlock.

LAOIS: F Byron; E Delaney, D Rooney, P Conway; D Conroy, K Fitzpatrick, J Higgins; T Maher (c), G Doyle; I Fitzgerald, M Lawlor, D Sweeney; AN Other, AN Other, D Delaney.