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Former Laois manager Mick O'Dwyer isn't surprised by the progress of Wexford and Fermanagh to their respective Provincial finals, following victories over Laois and Derry in their penultimate round encounters last weekend. Writing today in the 'Irish Sun' the Kerryman believes that despite 2008 becoming the 'year of the Underdog' in the GAA Senior Football Championship, he isn't too surprised.
"The Models and the Erne men met in the Division 3 final in the Spring. And they are both flying now," Micko said.
He continued, "It is hard to believe that Fermanagh haven't contested an Ulster final since 1982. And it's even harder to comprehend how Wexford football has endured a 52-year wait to be involved in Leinster's show-piece occasion."
"Either way, whatever happens from here on out, those annoying and weighty statistics have been put to rest."
And specifically referring to Wexford's six-point win over Laois at Croke Park last Sunday, Micko was impressed with the manner in which Jason Ryan's side carved out victory.
"Wexford's triumph over Laois was no less impressive (than Fermanagh's win over Derry) and they delivered when it mattered after four consecutive Leinster semi-final defeats.
"It was really D-Day for this group of players because there is only so long you can knock at the door without actually passing through it.
"And they needed to book a place in the Leinster final after threatening to do so for so long. Nobody else can do it for a team and Wexford seized the day playing an attractive brand of catch and kick football."
And despite heaping praise on Wexford for their win, Micko was also keen to talk about how he was disappointed for the vanquished, and in particular his former charges.
"Derry and Laois will have to shake themselves down in the weeks ahead - but not before finding out who stands between them and their chances of resurrecting their seasons," he said.
"Despite the very obvious potential that Wexford carried into last weekend I think most people still expected Laois to weather the storm.
"They appeared to have a decent mix of experienced players who had been involved in the 2003 Leinster success and young lads who had graduated from successful underage teams. But they never got going and were well beaten." |
