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.