Portlaoise battle past St Conleth’s to secure second successive Laois Ladies Senior Championship

Portlaoise have completed a Senior league and Senior championship double after they got past the challenge of St Conleth’s in today’s Senior final played in Stradbally.

A goal at the very start of the second-half put Portlaoise into a commanding position but St Conleth’s kept plugging away but ultimately Portlaoise hung on for victory.

Portlaoise 1-6

St Conleth’s 0-7

The game’s opening score came after two minutes as Portlaoise half-back Susie Delaney slotted the ball between the posts. The game went into a lull of scoring as both sides struggled to break through either defence. St Conleth’s levelled the game with 11 minutes on the clock as Shifra Havill raised a white flag.

Two more scores followed, one for either side with Portlaoise’s other half-back getting her name on the scoresheet in Alison Taylor while Aoibhe Byron scored a free for St Conleth’s.

Portlaoise got two points on the trot as Fiona Dooley went on a splendid run from midfield before splitting the posts. Grainne Moran opened her account with a point from play for Portlaoise. Byron kicked her second free shortly after as Portlaoise held a slender one-point lead. The half ended with Portlaoise on top as Stephen Duff’s side raised two more white flags. Taylor pointed her second of the game while Leah Loughman pointed a free. Portlaoise could have been further ahead only for a super block on a shot from Rebecca Reddin which went out for a 45’. The Town also hit the crossbar as Aisling Kehoe’s effort rattled off the woodwork.

The second-half began with a stunning team move from Portlaoise. They won the throw-in with Ellen Healy breaking upfield, the Laois star laid the ball off to Sarah Anne Fitzgerald to blasted the ball into the back of the St Conleth’s net. St Conleth’s weren’t put off by the goal as they fired over the next three scores. Sinead Cullen and Alanna Havill both scored from play while Byron pointed another free.

The game was in the melting pot with Portlaoise showing great defensive shape to stop St Conleth’s getting any opportunity at getting the goal which would level the game. Byron did slot over another free to leave two between the sides as we approached added time but Portlaoise played keep-ball to take the Senior title for the second year in a row.

They’ll now go forward to represent Laois in Leinster where they’ll face the Longford champions Longford Slashers in two weeks’ time.