In most counties, there is usually one team who stands out as a dominant force. Crossmaglen were that for many years in Armagh, although they had a couple of off years before returning to winning ways in 2018. Corofin are currently on a ridiculous run in Galway, and that is only to mention a couple of examples.
However, there is nobody on a more impressive run at the moment than Portlaoise.
The defending champions in Laois, they secured a return to the county final earlier today. They did it in dramatic circumstances too, overcoming a six point deficit to claim a 1-13 to 1-11 win over Portarlington.
It sends them back to the familiar surroundings of a county final, an occasion they are very familiar with. In fact, this will be their 13th final on the spin. A remarkable record.
What's more, they have won all but one of them. Their only defeat came in 2016, when a last minute wonder goal from Stradbally condemned them to a one point defeat.
They will enter the 2019 final as heavy favourites to overcome either Ballyfin or Killeshin, who drew earlier today.
Portlaoise's record in Leinster is slightly disappointing when you consider their dominance within their own county, with their last provincial crown coming in 2009. They have lost three finals in the intervening years.
Still, that certainly does not detract from their achievements within Laois. Some record.
