St Joseph's win first Laois title in 23 years

It certainly won't live long in the memory of neutrals but Mick Dempsey's side won't care as they claimed their first title since 2000.

TIGHT: Portlaoise's Benny Carroll tried to escape the clutches of St Joseph's Michael Dempsey in the Laois SFC final at Laois Hire O'Moore Park. 

Laois SFC Final: St Joseph's 0-7 Portlaoise 0-6. 

St Joseph's are Laois football champions for the first time in 23 years after defeating Portlaoise in a dour decider at O'Moore Park Sunday.

It certainly won't live long in the memory of neutrals but St Joseph's won't care as they claimed their first title since 2000. For Portlaoise, their wait for a title goes on as they are now winless since 2019.

The sides were level at 0-2 each on 18 minutes, David Seale regained the lead for Portlaoise but they didn't score again for the remainder of the half. Two Eoghan O'Flaherty frees ensured that St Joseph's headed for half time with a 0-4 to 0-3 lead.

Five minutes after the break one of the scores of the day - after a long spell of passing, Portlaoise's Paul Cahillane received the ball inside the 45 and curled one over off the outside of his boot. However Joseph's retook the lead courtesy of James Kelly.

Kevin Swayne levelled and he was the man who set up Kiern Lillis as Portlaoise edged in front in the last ten minutes. However in the 53rd minute, St Joseph's landed a massive score from in front of the terrace. Josh O'Brien came on for St Joseph's and with his first act, made a run that ended with James Kelly pointing from distance for a second time.

That was in the 54th minute and proved the final and decisive score. Portlaoise had a late chance of an equaliser but Jason Maher's shot dropped short.

Scorers for St Joseph's: E O'Flaherty (0-3, frees), B Daly and J Kelly (0-2 each).

Scorers for Portlaoise: P Cahillane (0-2, 1f), D Seale, G Dillon, K Lillis and K Swayne (0-1 each).

ST JOSEPH'S: A Cooney; J Lacey, A Campion, A Brennan; D Hickey, J Kelly, T Dunne; M Dempsey, G Lynch; O Hooney, E O'Flaherty, C Murphy; D Doyle, B Daly, M Keogh. 

Subs: M Campion for Dempsey (44, blood, reversed 48), M Campion for Murphy (48), J O'Brien for Hooney (51).

PORTLAOISE: C Brown; A McGovern, B Dempsey, C Raggett; C Finn, D Seale, M Dowling; K Swayne, C McEvoy; G Dillon, P Cahillane, D Larkin; R Maher, B Carroll, K Lillis. 

Subs: C McEvoy for Ciaran McEvoy (ht), B Reddin for Dillon (45), G Saunders for McGovern, J Hogan for Cahillane (both 53), J Maher for R Maher (58).

Referee: M Deegan (Stradbally)