Clonaslee St Manman's crowned Junior 'C' Football champions

Clonaslee-St Manman's are the 2023 Laois Junior 'C' Football Champions. They overcame Arles-Kilcruise in Laois GAA's Centre of Excellence on Thursday evening, running out comfortable winners in the end. They took charge of the game early and in reality, never looked like losing.

Clonaslee-St Manman's ran out 1-14 to 0-8 winners over Colt in an impressive semi-final performance last week. Arles-Kilcruise, conversely, got the better of O'Dempsey's by just a single point in their semi-final, but had a full week extra to prepare for this final.

Those extra seven days paid little dividends, however as Clonaslee got off to a great start, kicking three points without reply. Some confident, patient build-up play was rewarded by Noah Flynn, Joe Conroy and Senan Barrett.

Arles-Kilcruise could not get out of their own half for the first 15 minutes, but finally found a foothold in the game. A free from Mick O'Shea got them on the scoreboard on the 19th minute, but it was their only score of the half.

Clonaslee-St Manman's finished the half strongly and added another three points before the break. Daire Hogan scored on the 27th minute before some fine interplay from Seamus Rosney and Joe McRedmond saw Rosney land a fifth score.

Noah Flynn finished the half with a tremendous solo score to leave Clonaslee-St Manman's ahead at half time by 0-6 to 0-1.

The second half was a far more even encounter, with the sides going score for score, but Clonaslee kicked four points to Arles-Kilcruise's three.

It could have been a different story had Kilcruise taken their big chance in the 47th minute. With Clonaslee-St Manman's leading by six, Arles-Kilcruise were awarded a penalty. Chris Conway took the responsibility but Darragh Mulhall got down well to his right-hand side and got a strong hand to the shot.

Tempers flared in the final ten minutes with both sides guilty of a few unsavoury incidents. Referee Brendan McCann was left with no choice to show a red card to each side in the 60th minute, with Clonaslee-St Manman's wing back, Noah Flynn, and his opposite number, Luke Donohue given their marching orders.

Tom Smith had an excellent game from wing back, bombing forward in attack from the word go. He fittingly kicked the final score of the game to a rapturous reception from the sideline as Clonaslee-St Manman’s secured the championship.