Portlaoise hold off O'Dempsey's in dramatic affair to keep Laois SFC hopes alive

Portlaoise and O’Dempsey’s have met plenty of times in recent championship seasons. The big one between the sides was back in the 2018 Laois Senior football championship final where Portlaoise ran out six-point winners.

After a dramatic match that swung back and forth, it would be Portlaoise who once more had the upper hand on O'Dempsey's. Kevin Swayne's score late on proved to be the winner near the end.

Portlaoise 0-14

O'Dempsey's 0-13

Eoin Finlay opened the scoring for O’Dempsey’s from the throw-in here, as Finlay wasted no time in planting over. Portlaoise responded a minute later though, with Ricky Maher slicing over a terrific score with the outside of the boot.

It was a tightly fought and physical battle for most of the first-half with both teams defending strongly. Mark Barry nudged O’Dempsey’s back ahead with a point from a free but Portlaoise hit back with the next two.

Damon Larkin powerfully strode through the middle before landing over a lovely point. Then Ricky Maher knocked over a free to put Portlaoise in front for the first time in proceedings.

The back and forth between the two outfits continued for much of the half though. Daithi Howlin hit over a delightful score for O’Dempsey’s, as he caught and turned on a sixpence before placing over the bar.

Portlaoise had their first chance at goal after that and it was one of the few ones all game for either side. Ciaran McEvoy had space inside after a swift counter-attacking move from Portlaoise. However, McEvoy’s shot was high and wide of the goalposts.

Eoin Finlay edged O’Dempsey’s back in front after a nice ball was played into him was Brian Nugent. Kevin Swayne equalised again for Portlaoise though after he sliced over another quality outside-of-the-boot score.

Daithi Howlin put O’Dempsey’s back ahead with a point off his left boot this time. However, Portlaoise reeled off the next three on the trot in response.

Conor Raggett fisted over a point from close-range and then Ricky Maher knocked over a free. Portlaoise were working the ball patiently from side to side now, really making the O’Dempsey’s defence run after them.

The impressive Damon Larkin landed his second to push Portlaoise two ahead. An injury to Portlaoise’s Conor Boyle then delayed proceedings for five minutes, as he was forced off on a stretcher.

Eoin Finlay left one between the teams in injury-time but Portlaoise would land the last blow of the first half. Ben Dempsey dispossessed Mark Barry and then charged forward to get on the end of a score himself.

That left Portlaoise 0-8 to 0-6 after the first half and on the balance of play they were probably slightly the better team.

Barry Kelly grabbed an O’Dempsey’s point from the throw-in but Portlaoise hit back with two in-a-row again. David Seale came up from centre-back to send one over and then Paul Cahillane placed over a free.

O’Dempsey’s battled back with the next two points themselves though. Mark Barry, who was well marshalled in the first half, managed to put over his first score from play. Eoin Finlay then left only one in it again with his third score.

Benny Carroll pushed Portlaoise’s cushion back out to two but O’Dempsey’s would rattle off the next three on the trot. Two points from Mark Barry came either side of a fine score from midfielder Nick Doggett.

Portlaoise responded to that pressure by re-taking the lead though thanks to points from Benny Carroll again and substitute Kieran Lillis. The substitute cracked over an audacious outside of the boot score from distance, as Lillis showed his class.

While Matthew Finlay levelled through a free, Portlaoise would again have a reply. Kevin Swayne managed to turn and curl over close to the O’Dempsey’s net.

O’Dempsey’s had an opportunity to force extra-time late on but Matthew Finlay saw his effort come back off the post and Portlaoise held on to advance.