Former Galway star Paul Clancy knows a fair bit about beating Derry sides in championship action having been involved in both Galway’s 1998 and 2001 All-Ireland winning sides that defeated the Ulster men in All-Ireland semi-finals.

For over 100 years, ‘the bench’ was sport’s version of purgatory. A transition point between oblivion and opportunity. Dublin have done their utmost to change that perception and promote a squad ethos, but a reputation earned isn’t easy shed.

LEINSTER SFC QUARTER-FINAL:

Laois forward Dave Conway believes the county still possesses the quality and quantity of player required to repeat their pomp of a decade ago when they were Dublin’s biggest provincial rivals.

A realistic Tomás Ó Flatharta won’t overlook Laois’s defensive responsibilities in a rush to add an extra attacking dimension to their play this year.

Laois forward Colm Begley has taken a parting shot at former boss Justin McNulty, claiming the northerner’s style of play was overly defensive and uninspiring.

Colm Begley has welcomed the appointment of Tomás Ó Flatharta as the Laois Senior Football manager.

Paul Grimley has been re-appointed for a second year in charge of the Armagh senior footballers, while one of the county's greatest forwards, Steven McDonnell, was last night ratified as their new Under-21 football manager.

Laois County Board secretary Niall Handy revealed there is no great rush to fill the managerial post vacated by Justin McNulty.

Justin McNulty's spell in charge of the Laois senior footballers is over after he decided not to seek an extension to his original three-year term.

Laois senior football manager Justin McNulty stepped down from his role last night.

ALL-IRELAND SFC RD4 QUALIFIER:

Have managers lost the essence of their role? One of the great misjudgements of modern management is that everything that matters must be measured and that if something cannot be measured, it does not matter.

Donegal 0-14 Laois 0-8

Last Saturday, Billy Sheehan strode out of the Laois dressing room in Wexford Park, a beaming smile across his bearded face, and implored one journalist to keep writing Laois off.

Wexford 2-08 Laois 0-16

Wexford 2-8 Laois 0-16

Clare 0-10 Laois 3-17

Laois 3-17 Clare 0-10

Mick O’Dwyer believes too much water has passed under the bridge for him to have the inside track on his former team Laois.

ALL-IRELAND SFC ROUND 1:

Laois 3-13 Carlow 0-12

Waterford veteran Tony Browne is hopeful of playing his first county hurling of the year in Saturday’s All-Ireland SHC qualifier clash with Westmeath in Cusack Park (5pm).

Former AFL player Conor Meredith has been handed his first Senior Championship start by Laois manager Justin McNulty.

The anger in Tommy Byrne’s voice is thinly masked.

Laois football manager Justin McNulty will be without the services of Kevin Meaney, last year's captain, and full-forward Gary Walsh for the remainder of this year's Championship.

Paul Grimley apologised to Armagh supporters last week and while Justin McNulty didn’t go that far, he claimed responsibility for an abject Laois display, admitting that he had come second best to his former team-mate Aidan O’Rourke in the tactical stakes.

Kerry pair Eoin Brosnan and Jonathan Lyne are unlikely to be fully fit in time for Kerry’s Munster SFC quarter-final clash with Tipperary at Fitzgerald Stadium on Sunday (2pm).

Former Laois footballer Colm Parkinson has described Donie Kingston as the “Michael Murphy” of the county.

Donie Kingston will start for Laois in Sunday's Leinster SFC first round match against Louth at O'Moore Park (throw-in 3pm).

Last Sunday week, Tommy Carr informed RTÉ Radio One listeners that Cork’s footballers were arrogant.

It hasn’t been easy since Justin McNulty took over as Laois manager in 2010.

Wexford 1-8 Laois 0-14

Former Antrim player James Loughrey is a new addition to the Cork bench for Sunday’s Division 1 clash with Mayo after completing a transfer to Mallow from St Brigid’s.

Laois boss Justin McNulty is making continued behind the scenes attempts to lure Donie Kingston back onto the county football panel.

Longford 0-6 Laois 0-9, Pearse Park

Laois 1-15 Galway 0-10

Laois 1-15 Galway 0-10

Westmeath 1-10 Laois 1-8

Laois 1-17 Louth 2-14

Laois 1-17 Louth 2-14

Laois 0-20 Armagh 1-10

Laois 0-20 Armagh 1-10