Dublin’s record-breaking winning run in Leinster began in 2011 and, in recent seasons, they’ve had one hand on the cup even before a ball is kicked.

Kildare kept the margin of defeat in last year’s final to nine points but there’s no indication that Dublin’s grasp of the trophy will loosen any time soon.

Nevertheless, Laois are returning to the big stage in a positive frame of mind with 11 victories from 11 outings in the League and Championship during 2018. Relegated to Division 4 last season, the O’Moore County bounced back to dominate the bottom tier this Spring and carried that momentum into the championship with defeats of Wexford and Carlow.

Dublin, though, have been operating at a different level, and with their management and players intent on treating all opponents with respect, there’s little danger they will be caught napping.

The only negativity in the build-up is the prospect of both captains missing the final due to injuries sustained at Croke Park during the semi-finals.

Laois skipper Stephen Attride suffered an accidental blow to his head while bravely challenging for the ball in the second half of their game against Carlow, which has definitely ruled him out.

Doubts also surround Stephen Cluxton’s availability, as a rib injury he sustained after being fouled early in their victory over Longford may not be healed in time. Should his long unbroken run of games come to an end on Sunday, it’s expected that Evan Comerford will be handed the no. 1 jersey.

Comerford may be the only Dublin footballer appearing in a Leinster final for the first time on Sunday, whereas Laois have only one survivor from their last time to play in the provincial decider 11 years ago.

O’Moore County stalwart Ross Munnelly not only lined out against Dublin in 2007, but he was also a key player in their most recent Leinster Championship triumph in 2003. Incidentally, the Arles-Kilcruise stalwart also scored five points in the memorable 2005 Leinster final which Laois lost to Dublin by a single point.

During Laois’s winning run this year, goalkeeper Graham Brody has won admirers for his forays out the field while the experienced Colm Begley – the former AFL star who represented Ireland on 12 occasions in the International Rules – has been inspirational at centre back.

John O’Loughlin and Kieran Lillis will have to be at their best at midfield while the big Kingston brothers – Donie and Paul – must make their presence felt close to the Dublin goals. Paul’s hat-trick of goals in the quarter-final against Westmeath ensured they enjoyed a smooth run to the penultimate round, while Donie hit 1-6 in the opening round away to Wexford.

Meanwhile, the scores have continued to flow for Dublin. 4-25 v Wicklow and 2-25 v Longford was nothing more than expected, with Ciaran Kilkenny registering 1-7 in the quarter-final and Dean Rock the most prolific with 1-6 in the semi-final.

With no weak links for opponents to zone in on, it’s stating the obvious that Dublin are expected to extend their record-breaking sequence of victories in Leinster and secure a place in the new ‘Super 8s’ series, whereas Laois, first and foremost, will be focused on continuing their progress under John Sugrue by playing to potential against the All-Ireland champions.

Leinster Senior Football Championship 2018
12th May – Laois 2-21, Wexford 1-18 (A.E.T)
13th May – Carlow 2-17, Louth 0-12
13th May – Wicklow 1-20, Offaly 1-15 (A.E.T.)
26th May – Laois 4-13, Westmeath 1-12
27th May – Dublin 4-25, Wicklow 1-11
27th May – Longford 0-16, Meath 0-14
27th May – Carlow 2-14, Kildare 1-10
10th June – Laois 0-12, Carlow 0-8
10th June – Dublin 2-25, Longford 0-12