Micko’s men ready to be unleashed after qualifiers’ success

TOM KELLY has admitted the All-Ireland qualifiers have been the perfect testing ground for Laois as they re-enter the main race for Sam Maguire with a quarter-final against Mayo in a fortnight.

While the qualifiers still have their critics, the second chance saloon has been the kiss of life for a succession of counties over the past five years.

Galway have reaped the biggest reward, shrugging aside the disappointment of losing their Connacht title in 2001 by beating Meath in the All-Ireland final.