County champions Portarlington edge past Portlaoise to move closer to Division 1 final

The Portarlington and Portlaoise rivalry has been heating up over the last few seasons. The two big Laois town clubs have met in the Senior championship in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022. Portarlington have won the last three matchups, with Portlaoise’s last win in this fixture coming in 2019.

While this ACFL Division 1 winners’ section of the league match-up was not as high-stake, there was still plenty of niggle and physicality throughout.

Portlaoise scored two second-half goals but fell just short of producing the comeback needed. Following this result, Portarlington look to be well-placed to reach a league final, which would be a fair achievement considering the players they were missing throughout this league campaign.

Portarlington 1-8

Portlaoise 2-4

Portlaoise enjoyed the benefits of a strong breeze in the first half, but Kevin Fitzpatrick’s men failed to really make use of it. Instead, it was Portarlington who began brightly in Rathleague, with Rioghan Murphy knocking over two early points from placed balls.

Paul Cahillane got Portlaoise up and running with a point from a free, but Portarlington were showing more attacking intent. Portarlington midfielder Eoin McCann showed his strength to hold off a challenge running through and fisted over from close-range.

Portlaoise finally began to get going up front after that. Wing-back Conor Boyle came up to curl over a beautiful point and then full-forward Kieran O’Donnell levelled for the home outfit.

Things started getting cagey and quite physical in the second quarter. There was plenty of off-the-ball shenanigans and referee Eugene Dowdall had to keep things from boiling over several times.

Portarlington would have been fairly content with their first half performance against the wind up to this point. Anthony Cunningham’s side finished the first half excellently though to give them the initiative at the interval.

Rioghan Murphy grabbed his first score from play after Portarlington patiently worked the chance despite the packed Portlaoise rearguard. Then the away team struck for a crucial goal shortly before the break.

Again, Portarlington worked the ball patiently from side to side. Eventually, they carved out a bit of room, with midfielder Eoin McCann moving through the lines. McCann played a one-two with Sean Higgins before McCann palmed into the net.

Portlaoise had plenty of possession at the start of the second half. However, just like the first half, they failed to really make many inroads as they were too slow and ponderous on the ball.

They did eventually get through, although there was a bit of luck about the goal. Conor Brown’s free dropped short but dangerously into the goalmouth. While Portarlington goalkeeper Luke O’Reilly managed to get a fist to it, Paul Cahillane was there to pounce and palm home.

Portarlington responded very positively to that goal though, as they began to make use of the wind behind their backs in the second half. Eoin McCann’s power continued cause Portlaoise problems, as the Portarlington midfielder brought his tally to 1-2 for the evening.

Corner-back Darragh Slevin then drove up to curl over another. A Rioghan Murphy free was followed with a fourth Portarlington point on the trot. Sean Higgins curled over from play to leave Portarlington 1-8 to 1-3 ahead after three quarters.

Portlaoise got one back through Conor Brown, as the wing-forward crashed over an outside of the boot effort. Then Portlaoise scored a second goal to throw this clash wide open heading into the final ten minutes in Rathleague.

It was a fine counter-attacking move that caught Portarlington’s defence out. Ciaran McEvoy turned Portarlington over and the ball was quickly worked out to their main playmaker, Paul Cahillane.

Cahillane quickly got his head up and kicked in a pass into the path of Conor Raggett, who sprinted up from corner-back. Raggett still had a lot of work to do from here, but he made it look easy, as he fired low and hard past Portarlington’s keeper Luke O’Reilly.

Portlaoise had plenty of possession in the final ten minutes, but Portarlington were both disciplined and composed. They kept Portlaoise from working any real equalising opportunities, with referee Eugene Dowdall eventually blowing it up to confirm the Portarlington victory.

This result eliminates Portlaoise from league final contention. Portarlington now take on Ballyroan Abbey in the final group game where a draw would be enough to qualify them for the league decider.