Portlaoise complete magnificent seven

PORTLAOISE cemented their status as Leinster football’s most successful club by claiming their seventh provincial title at the expense of Westmeath’s Garrycastle yesterday.

The dual club are now the clear market leaders in the east with Carlow’s Éire Óg their closest contenders with five crowns. But it will be thoughts of an All-Ireland occupying the minds of the Laois champions this Christmas.

Portlaoise have won just one national crown in their history and they will be eager to atone for their oh-so-close campaign in 2004/05 when they lost by a point to Ballina Stephenites on St Patrick’s Day.