CHAMPIONS Portlaoise withstood a spirited second half Moorefield rally to emerge victorious from a pulsating AIB Leinster club SFC tie at O’Moore Park yesterday.

MOOREFIELD came alive in the final quarter to stun their Newbridge neighbours Sarsfields, scoring the last seven points of this final to claim their sixth Kildare SFC title at St Conleth’s Park.

Kildare give competitive starts to 2002 minor captain Michael Foley from Athy at midfield and his 2003 counter-part, Moorefield’s Ross Glavin, at full forward for Sunday’s Allianz NFL tie against Derry in Newbridge.