Dara Ó Cinnéide: Sometimes the scenic route trumps the shorter journey

In one of the many great scenes in the film On The Waterfront, Charlie played by Rod Steiger, tells his younger brother, Terry (Marlon Brando) that he needs to be getting up a bit in the world — "You’re getting on. You’re pushing 30. You know, it’s time to think about getting some ambition," says Charlie.

To which Terry memorably replies “I always figured I’d live a bit longer without it.” There is a little bit of the On The Waterfront vibe going on with this evening’s game between Laois and Kildare in Tullamore.

On the one hand you have two neighbouring teams who would detest defeat tonight as much as any in their recent history but on the other, the ‘prize’ for the victor is a tilt at the Dublin machine that is likely to chew them up and spit them out before moving on again to their next crucifixion.