O’Dwyer works the oracle again as Laois reach final

Laois 1-14 Armagh 1-11

However, taking account of how much an unconvincing Armagh struggled in Croke Park yesterday, it's clear that the real achievement for him and his players is in remaining unbeaten and to have progressed so much in so short a period of time.

O'Dwyer, never known for putting a heavy emphasis on the League, said afterwards that he genuinely didn't expect to make it to the final. Instead, he insisted he would have been happy to finish in mid-table, he suggested, adding that the O'Moore momentum had literally snowballed.

"Our aim was to build a team for the championship," he commented, offering the interesting view that the difference with the team now is that it is becoming highly disciplined.

Watching them force the pace for virtually the entire 70 minutes with some key individual contributions inspiring an impressive team display you could see what he was getting at. However, no such joy for All-Ireland manager Joe Kernan, who very diplomatically faulted his players for lack of effort.

"If our pride isn't hurt after that, we're not half the men I think we are," he commented.

Inspirational captain Kieran McKeever was a late withdrawal, but Kernan refused to use his absence and that of the other regulars as an excuse If Kildare were often criticised under O'Dwyer's management for over-elaboration, no such fault could be found with the midlanders on this occasion.

They defended confidently, got through an enormous amount of work at midfield and, always strongly supported, the forwards carried the ball to good effect and used it intelligently.

And, vitally, admirable free-taking from Damien Delaney earned them some terrific scores. Given that Armagh had the wind advantage in the first half, it was notable that they never once managed to dominate play for any reasonable period of time.

Scores were level five times in the opening 25 minutes but Laois were making most of the running. To illustrate the point, former minor star Brian McDonald could have goaled in the 14th minute and later Colm Parkinson had a good effort stopped by 'keeper Paul Hearty before a timely tackle by substitute defender Andy Mallon prevented Delaney from finishing to the net.

These chances resulted from excellent combination play all over the field, sustained by a high level of fitness, aggressive tackling and a high work-rate. Pauric Clancy was dominant at midfield, Parkinson made great openings on the right wing and the inside three penetrated regularly.

Armagh only threatened sporadically and it was noteworthy that All-Star Steven McDonnell only very rarely made headway against tenacious Joe Higgins. And, outside him, Derek Conroy did marvellous work, too. Arguably the only real goal chance Armagh created was when Paddy McKeever blew the ball over the bar in the 28th minute.

Just a point behind at the break, 0-9 to 0-8, Laois took the lead for the fourth time less than a minute after the resumption. Armagh jumped back in front within five minutes, when substitute Martin O'Rourke just on the field availed of a defensive error, but that was the last time they led. Under less pressure because of their wind advantage the Laois backs were even better organised and enjoyed a lot of success in limiting the flow of possession to Armagh's inside forwards.

Nevertheless, the game had reached its most competitive phase by the three quarters stage, as a result of Armagh being more involved around midfield where substitute Philip Loughran did well alongside a more effective Paul McGrane and stronger play from a defence in which Justin McNulty came into his own after a move to the right corner. Delaney was to hit over two super scores from frees, while Armagh, untypically, lost some key possession through sloppy play. And, they missed three chances of scores in quick succession when Marsden gave the ball away and both John McEntee and McDonnell kicked bad wides.

O'Dwyer made a number of tactical substitutions, too, which helped to maintain his team's strong challenge. Ross Munnelly was a good addition at half-forward, while Hughie Emerson picked up good ball there after moving out from full-forward. And, when it mattered, Laois had the ability and the confidence to go for glory.

*Referee Michael Collins showed the benefit of his considerable experience in the way he controlled the game so effectively.

Scorers for Laois: D. Delaney 1-6 (0-4 frees); C. Parkinson 0-3; S. Kelly 0-2; N. Garvan, M. Lawlor and R. Munnelly 0-1 each.

Armagh: S. McDonnell 0-4 (0-1 free); M. O'Rourke 1-0; P. McKeever and B. O'Hagan 0-2 each; J. McEntee, D. Marsden and A. O'Rourke 0-1 each.

LAOIS: M. Nolan; T. Kelly, C. Byrne, J. Higgins; D. Rooney, K. Fitzpatrick, D. Conroy; P. Clancy, N. Garvan; C. Parkinson, I. Fitzgerald (capt.), M. Lawlor; B. McDonald, S. Kelly, D. Delaney. Subs: H. Emerson for Fitzgerald (40th minute); R. Munnelly for Lawlor (43rd); D. Miller for Kelly (63rd).

ARMAGH: P. Hearty; E. McNulty, J. McNulty, F. Bellew; K. Hughes, A. O'Rourke, A. McCann; J. Toal, P. McGrane; P. McKeever, J. McEntee, B. O'Hagan; S. McDonnell, D. Marsden, T. McEntee.

Subs: A. Mallon for E. McNulty (injured, 22nd minute); P. Loughran for Toal (38th); M. O'Rourke for O'Hagan (39th); P. McCormack for Hughes (injured, 44th).

Referee: M. Collins (Cork).