Emerson back to haunt the Dubs

FOUR years ago, a dreadlocked Hughie Emerson put the fear of God into Dublin’s back-line in a Leinster Championship semi-final replay and the Portarlington man is overjoyed at the chance to do it all again this Sunday.

Laois had thrown away a commanding lead in the drawn game at Croke Park in 1999 and, by half-time of the replay, they were down to 14 men and shipping water in all directions until Emerson was switched to full-forward.

The resulting comeback fell two points short but not before the then 26-year-old had battered and bruised the Dublin rearguard into near submission. They’ll remember him well on Hill 16, as will the likes of Johnny Magee, who made his championship debut for Dublin that day.