SPORT REVIEW OF THE YEAR - Kilmacud regrets for Portlaoise in November

Having retained their Laois SFC title, Portlaoise went in search of Leinster glory once again in November.

It all started out well with a win over Moorefield, the team which beat them the year before. That set them up to play Kilmacud Crokes, and once again it was a tale of what might have been.

Portlaoise started slowly, but once they hit their stride they were more than a match for the Dublin kingpins, but a late penalty miss from Craig Rogers proved crucial as they fell to a three point loss.

Elsewhere in Leinster competition, the Portlaoise hurlers sealed a place in the Leinster IHC final, but Camross and Slieve Bloom both fell at the first hurdle.

In football, Annanough were well-beaten by eventual Leinster champions Dundalk Young Irelands, while Courtwood lost the semi- final to Two Mile House, who also won the Leinster title.

Sarsfields were beaten by Foxrock Cabinteely again in the Leinster final, while O'Moore's lost out to Young Irelands from Kilkenny.

Dick Mullins, Tony O'Reilly and Martin McDonald all won medals at the British and Irish Masters Cross Country, while Emma Hooban's rugby career bounded on with a senior debut against the USA.

Ross King and Patrick Carroll won Joe McDonagh star awards, but Graham Brody lost out in the football awards to Rory Beggan. Propsals to restrist Gaels teams were also made, while the Laois ladies team won bronze at the All-Ireland Cross Country finals.