Late flurry sees St Joseph's finally get one over Portlaoise in Laois Shopping Centre SFC

Portlaoise have had St Joseph’s number in the Laois Shopping Centre SFC for a long time now. You must go back to 2003 since the last time St Joseph’s won a meeting between these two.

Michael Dempsey’s men finally ended that miserable streak in this first-round clash though. Late points from Brian Daly and Michael Keogh saw St Joseph’s defeat Portlaoise in a very intriguing affair.

St Joseph's 0-13

Portlaoise 1-8

Portlaoise broke through for a goal chance right from the throw-in. Benny Carroll showed his turn of pace to go through the middle, but Carroll’s shot was mis-hit and trailed harmlessly wide.

St Joseph’s struck for the opening score in Laois Hire O’Moore Park. Eoghan O’Flaherty floated over a free to get Michael Dempsey’s men on the scoreboard for the evening.

Then the men wearing yellow and blue had their first real sight at goal. Oisin Hooney played in a superb ball into the path of Matthew Campion on the counter-attack.

However, Campion didn’t pull the trigger with his weaker right foot at the first time of asking. Campion instead tried to get on to his left boot, but Portlaoise got numbers back and the chance went amiss.

St Joseph’s defence was frustrating Portlaoise in the opening ten minutes. Kevin Fitzpatrick’s men were held scoreless during this period, with St Joseph’s getting two more scores.

Josh O’Brien blasted over a brilliant point from distance to register the first score from play. Then Oisin Hooney picked out Eoghan O’Flaherty inside and he curled over a simple score.

Portlaoise finally began to find their stride after that though. Ricky Maher cut on to his left to knock over ‘The Town’s’ opening score of this year’s championship.

Two minutes later and Portlaoise grabbed their second score. Following patient play from Portlaoise, Ross Brennan finally found space to fire over another between the uprights.

St Joseph’s responded with a score from inter-county player, Brian Daly. However, Daly’s fellow county man, Kieran Lillis, took over the game for a brief spell after that.

Lillis curled over a delightful score from a tight angle to leave the minimum separating the sides again. Then Lillis levelled soon after, as strong running from Conor Raggett saw him find Lillis for another score.

St Joseph’s looked a bit rattled now after their strong start to the match. Their shooting was awful for the second quarter, as Portlaoise’s defence put them under serious pressure to make things difficult.

It was St Joseph’s who grabbed the final score of the half though to edge back in front. Michael Keogh managed to find a yard of space and curl over the last point of the half.

Portlaoise levelled proceedings upon the second-half restart though. Ciaran McEvoy managed to find a little bit of space in the St Joseph’s defence and McEvoy popped over.

St Joseph’s hit back with the next two points. Eoghan O’Flaherty fired over a mark from a decent distance out near the far side. Then first-half substitute Dylan Doyle added another, as St Joseph’s went two to the good.

Ricky Maher replied for Portlaoise but St Joseph’s restored their two-point cushion shortly after. It should have been a goal though, as Josh O’Brien went through but opted to fist over the bar when the goal was on.

St Joseph’s continued to play some very nice football after that. Oisin Hooney curled over a lovely effort with his left under pressure and then centre-back Danny Hickey fisted over another point.

However, all that hard work from St Joseph’s was wiped out in the fourty-fifth minute. Benny Carroll was brought down inside the square by St Joseph’s keeper Aaron Cooney, with Paul Cahillane scoring the resulting penalty.

Cahillane then landed a free minutes later to leave things level in Laois Hire O’Moore Park. Portlaoise went in front for the first time then soon after, with Kieran Lillis landing a mark from close-range.

Eoghan O’Flaherty fired over a free to equalise for St Joseph’s before they edged back ahead. Brian Daly landed a massive point from a mark with three minutes of normal time left.

Then Michael Keogh pushed them two ahead in injury time. Portlaoise failed to find a winning goal to overturn the deficit, as St Joseph’s recorded a very impressive victory.