Boyle bags winner as Portlaoise scrape over the line

APPEARING in their first Leinster Club SFC tie since a 2007 drubbing at the hands of the same opponents, Louth champions St. Patrick’s provided much stiffer opposition this time and only a point in the last minute of extra-time from Portlaoise defender Conor Boyle spared the hosts’ blushes.

The Laois champions gained early control with a goal from Craig Rogers and with Longford official Derek Fahy awarding a number of decisions against the Louth side, Barry Fitzgerald’s reliable free-taking accounted for four of the five point margin at half-time.

Fahy was heckled by a section of the Louth supporters at the break, but in truth it was more down to poor shooting rather than any other factor that had St. Patrick’s struggling.