Portlaoise out after major shock

THE big news on the Laois GAA scene is that Portlaoise have been eliminated from the Senior Football Championship.

Last weekend, they defeated Timahoe to force a three-way play-off with themselves, Timahoe and O’Dempseys. In the first draw Portlaoise were drawn to play Timahoe, that game took place last Wednesday night with Portlaoise winning by five points.

Yesterday at Stradbally they faced O’Dempseys, the team who had beaten them previously in the championship and despite the fact that O’Dempseys themselves suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of St Joseph’s on Sunday last, they produced a wonderful performance and a goal by Darren Finlay saw them lead 1-9 to 0-3 at the interval.

Portlaoise produced a marvellous recovery and a goal by Brian McCormack in the 58th minute reduced the margin to a single point. Then two minutes into injury time they were awarded a free from 40 metres out but Peter McNulty’s effort tailed off wide and that was to be the final action. O’Dempseys now join St Joseph’s from their group in the quarter finals.

The two Arles clubs, Killeen and Kilcruise also played Sunday at O’Moore Park, with the Chris Conway powered Kilcruise taking top spot in their group, joined by Killeen.

In the second game at O’Moore Park, Portarlington defeated Graiguecullen by four points. A late goal by Barry Brennan narrowed the gap to two points for Graiguecullen but two points from Dave Murphy insured Portarlington’s place in the quarter finals. The eight clubs in tonight’s draw for the quarter finals will be St Joseph’s, Emo, Arles Kilcruise, Stradbally, Portarlington, Arles Killeen, Ballyroan and O’Dempseys.

In the Senior Hurling Championship the last place was decided on Sunday evening when the Harps who needed victory to stay in contention claimed victory over Tinnahinch with two second half goals from Aidan Galvin and John Brophy. James Young scored 10 points for the losers who also go into the quarter finals. Ballinakill needed a draw or a win for Tinnahinch to keep their hopes alive but despite Mark Rooney scoring a last minute goal which was disallowed for a hand pass and that eliminated Ballinakill.