Laois passed league campaign test with flying honours

IF Laois's league campaign this year was a test, they've passed it with flying colours after capping off a dominant league with an emphatic final victory over Kerry on Saturday afternoon.

The prize for topping the division with six wins from six was a home final which drew a healthy crowd to Laois Hire O'Moore Park along with GAA President Jarlath Burns who presented the trophy to David Dooley at full time.

When Kerry last came to town in Round 4 they made life difficult for the hosts in brutal conditions in the midst of that endless period of rain we suffered earlier in the year.

The Munster men are a big and physical side suited to such conditions but with a drier pitch and a sun in the sky on Saturday, Laois were a much different proposition.

Laois's forward struggled in their earlier meeting with the heavy underfoot conditions not ideal for the pacey inside line, but the difference this time around was obvious by the third minute when Mossy Keyes raced in off the left wing to gather a ball broken down by Ryan Mullaney and bat it neatly past Portlaoise native Conor Bohane.

Scoring goals had been a struggle for Laois for a long period during the league and it's become very evident over the last two games now that it's something they're aiming to rectify approaching the Joe McDonagh Cup.

While they picked off a huge amount of points during the league against the likes of Westmeath and Derry, there was very little threat on the green flags but goals were the aim on Saturday and they put huge pressure on the Kerry backs from the off.

At every possible chance the O'Moore men played the ball on top of the half forward line with the aim of breaking it inside to Keyes or Cillian Dunne and if the half forwards gained possession the head went down and they burst inside rather than taking their points, which has been the case previously.

The forwards did provide plenty of excitement on Saturday but the stars of the show were undoubtedly Laois's back six.

Kerry are a tricky side to deal with as they have a dangerous combination of size and speed but they were no match for the Laois backs who held them to just nine points from play.

Kerry had a strong wind in the first half and you'd expect them of all teams to make use of it, but the defensive work from Laois was outstanding.

Ian Shanahan was particularly impressive at corner back as his stickiness is coupled with an incredible level of fitness no doubt aided by his senior footballing duties with St Joseph's.

Shanahan was impervious on Saturday and won an incredible amount of duels, which allowed the likes of Lee Cleere and Podge Delaney to sweep in and clear the danger.

On Saturday fortnight Laois will take to the field against Carlow in round one of the Joe McDonagh Cup and Fitzgerald will have some tough calls to make with Diarmaid Conway coming back to full fitness along with Jordan Walshe.

Traditionally a half back, Ryan Mullaney has been effective in the forwards but could he opt to shuffle him back down the field?

Picky Maher and Ben Conroy will also be hoping for starting spots in April, so it will be a tough three weeks of consideration for Fitzgerald and co.