HE has been a wandering maestro for so long that we tend to overlook Mick O’Dwyer’s massive contribution to the development of football outside of Kerry.

WE HAD the luxury of naming an unchanged Championship 15 for the first time since I came to Laois ahead of tomorrow’s Croke Park sell-out.

All Star defender Tom Kelly has given Laois boss Mick O'Dwyer a boost by returning to training following injury.

Injury-ravaged Laois have suffered another setback with confirmation yesterday that star defender Tom Kelly broke his collarbone during Sunday's facile defeat of Kilkenny in the O'Byrne Cup.

Laois will show exactly what they are made of today when they face All-Ireland champions Tyrone in their third consecutive weekend of championship action.

ONE of the more interesting asides to the clash of Tyrone and Laois in tomorrow's qualifier clash in Croke Park is that both Mick O'Dwyer and Mickey Harte have each had sons in squads they managed.

Westmeath 0-12 Laois 0-10

Laois 0-13 Westmeath 0-13

ARMAGH have been in the last two All-Ireland finals and based on yesterday’s performance at Croke Park, that trend is set to continue in September.

Laois 0-15 Carlow 1-7

THE highly competitive nature of the National Football League is taking its toll with many players injured.

DECLAN BROWNE will miss Friday night’s opening Test in the Fosters International Rules Series against Australia after suffering a dead leg in a clash with a Western Australia player during yesterday’s warm-up game.

MINOR footballers shouldn’t really be at an age where ghosts need to be laid to rest.

THE Armagh bandwagon may be turning into a juggernaut, but Joe Kernan wants everyone to keep a calm head.

Laois 1-14 Fermanagh 1-11