Former Leitrim forward Emlyn Mulligan believes Andy Moran's team will have to be wary of Laois' strengths in Saturday's Allianz Football League Division 4 final but does not see a reason for any fear factor to set in.
Five years on from their most recent appearance at Croke Park, when they lost to Derry in the fourth tier decider, Leitrim are back at GAA HQ again after sealing promotion to Division 3 last weekend.
The 2019 final was an emotional one for those connected to the county given the rarity with which Leitrim have got to play at Croke Park and Mulligan, who played against Derry that day, feels the current crop have the capability of winning silverware on Saturday evening.
"They've a great chance. In the last two years, we've beat Laois," he told RTÉ's Morning Ireland.
"We beat Laois last year in a very important game in Páirc Seán. It was kind of a similar scenario to this year and then we got the one-point win this year down in Portlaoise.
"But Leitrim have to be wary. Laois are a strong, physical team who have a lot of experience as well but there's definitely no fear factor going into this.
"And I suppose this goes back to the whole element of playing teams at your own level and this is Division 4.
"They have a realistic chance of winning it which is huge and I think there is no question about it, Leitrim will be going all out to hopefully bring home a cup to Carrick-on-Shannon which would be a very rare thing."
Mulligan added that just giving the team and supporters the chance to tackle a showpiece fixture was a "proud day" for Leitrim folk.
"For the players alone, it's obviously a massive occasion, (for) management as well but obviously for supporters as well," he said.
"For those who are going to travel up to it, it's a brilliant day. It's a proud day for Leitrim people to see their own people in the areas they're growing up and coming from that they don't see too often, running out into Croke Park.
"Overall, it's a memorable occasion and it's one we're all looking forward to as supporters anyway."
Mulligan also praised manager Moran's input in maximising the county's playing resources, with the former Mayo footballer in year three of his project and looking to bounce back from the disappointment of last year's Connacht championship historic defeat to New York.
"Sometimes it comes down to actually the players and the amount of players to choose from is probably the biggest issue at the minute and even still is and I think for that alone, you have to commend Andy for getting Leitrim to where they are because the quality we have in the county it is limited to whatever amount of clubs we have but he's done a tremendous job getting them back up to Division 3."
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