Obviously, both teams have their flaws. If GAA teams had to carry government health warnings for the good of their loyal supporters, and any kids thinking of taking up the dodgy habit of supporting Laois or Dublin in the future, then they would be told:

Laois: This football team is short of self-confidence, and might not dig its nails into the game's jugular when it is absolutely needed. Danger of a slap in the jaw.

Dublin: This football team is simply lacking the raw material and also the rawest form of courage to win really big games when they want it most. Danger of a slap in the jaw.

Mick O'Dwyer and Paul Caffrey know this, even if they will not publicly admit to it. Laois and Dublin footballers can argue . . . and maybe take offence . . . all they like at having these warnings printed high up on the back of their jerseys. If so, they are both making a grave mistake.

It helps to face up to the truth, in life, and on the football field, and there is no doubt that this Laois team should now be at the tail-end of a mini-dynasty in their own province. They should have at least three Leinster titles racked up. They've been good enough. They've been listening to the most spell-binding and outrageously optimistic team manager in the business. And still, they've only got one puny piece of provincial silverware.

Not good enough, I'm afraid . . . not for a team which contains so much natural talent, and which can play the most electrifying and entertaining brand of football in the country.

Laois have one of the best keeper's in the business. Fantastic, fast-paced defenders, and superbly talented individuals in defence like Fennelly and Higgins and Rooney. The best attacking number 6 in Ireland over the last five years. The best midfield pairing in the country over the last two years.

And lovely forwards.

'Lovely' is not a good word. Laois forwards might not be happy with that description but, once again, it's accurate. Lovely hits the nail on the head. It may hurt, but, hey, that's life.

What Laois do not have is a defence which has bonded together, and which lives and dies as a unit. And what Laois are also missing is six forwards who all have the pace and gutsy disposition of Ross Munnelly. And, yeah, confidence!

They don't believe they are natural born winners. If you are a Laois forward reading this, don't go 'OUCH' . . . just say, 'Thank you, Liam.'

You're welcome.

As for Dublin, whom I expected to win the All-Ireland title this year, and who still have a decent chance of actually doing it in 2006, well, get out from under the table boys. You're next!

It's good that Paul Caffrey has named Ray Cosgrove (right) at full-forward for the first time in three years in a blue jersey. Mark Vaughan is something else, and he's going to become great, but there was not too much time left for the Dubs to extract the last ounce of genius from between the shoulder blades of Ray Cosgrove.

The man is the only footballer Dublin have found over the last few years who actually has proven to have the ability to be a Stephen O'Neill or Stephen McDonnell or Gooch Cooper.

He's precious, and even if Cosgrove does not prove the winning of this Leinster semi-final then Dublin should still live with him, persist in him, and work their battle plans through him. When the moment comes, he can prove the all important difference between winning and losing an All-Ireland title.

No point, is there, leaving him on the bench for another 12 months and asking him to win an AllIreland title in the last 10 or 15 minutes of the penultimate or ultimate game of the summer?

Dublin can still win an All-Ireland title which, seven weeks into the championship, remains wide open and legless.

Armagh are tired, no matter what Joe keeps saying, and winning games has become harder work than ever before. And Tyrone have been battered down by the same God who took a dislike to them two years ago. Kerry, mentally and physically, are in transition. Or in repose. They're going to be beatable this August and September. My money is staying on Dublin, though, my eyes will be closed for long stretches of this afternoon, and if Caffrey's men march into the Leinster final I will continue to fear for them against Wexford.

This is Micko's last hurrah. However, if it has not dawned on lots of the Laois boys that they are in the same boat as their team boss, then they will lose this afternoon, for sure. This Laois team is fighting for its life. It's highly unlikely that a new manager is going to make new, stronger, younger men of Kelly, Clancy and co.

Home truths!

They're like a nasty pill which must be swallowed. In this instance it is especially good medicine for the Dubs. Who should they be afraid of?

Nobody, is the answer, not in the summer of 2006 when the All-Ireland title might be won by the bravest, if not necessarily the best, football team in the country.

Micko or Paul? I'd choose Caffrey's shoes.