Laois GAA champs St Joseph’s in cruise control in Courtwood win

Reigning champions St Joseph's are safely through to the quarter-finals of the Laois Shopping Centre Senior Football Championship after a one-sided win over Courtwood.

The sides have cultivated a healthy rivalry, having met twice during the League, including in the final.

Those were both tight games, but with the pressure on in Laois Hire O'Moore Park, there was only ever one winner. St Joseph's had the ball in the net three times as they cruised to a 16-point victory, with Brian Daly, Mick Keogh and Matty Campion each raising green flags.

Frees from Matthew Byron and Niall Dunne got Courtwood off to a fast start. St Joseph's replied with a free of their own from Eoghan O'Flaherty before Brian Daly played in Mick Keogh for an 11th-minute goal.

Josh O'Brien extended the St Joseph's lead before Daly added a mark. A free from Alan Kinsella in the 20th minute reduced the deficit, but St Joseph’s took over again, adding five points without reply. Eoghan O'Flaherty, Jack Lacey, Josh O'Brien, Aidan Brennan and Matty Campion were all on target as the reigning County champions showed their teeth.

That left St Joseph's well ahead at half time, leading by 1-8 to 0-3. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

Cian Doyle kicked Courtwood's first score from play right after the restart with Niall Dunne adding a second. Mick Keogh hit back for St Joseph's before Alan Kinsella landed two quick-fire scores.

But Joseph's responded with their second goal when Danny Hickey picked out Matty Campion, who fisted the ball beyond Matthew Byron. Daly and Kinsella traded scores but Joseph's would kick the next four points through Keogh, Daly, and two from O'Flaherty.

Goal number three followed when O'Flaherty found Brian Daly who finished smartly to bring an end to proceedings.
The draw followed, with Courtwood paired with Stradbally in the Senior 'B'. Reigning champions, St Joseph's now set their sights on the quarter-finals of the Senior Championship where they will take on Portlaoise. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

SCORERS – St Joseph’s: Brian Daly 1-3 (0-1 mark), Mick Keogh 1-2, Matty Campion 1-1, Eoghan O’Flaherty (two frees) and Josh O’Brien 0-3 each, Aidan Brennan, James Kelly, Jack Lacey and Dylan Doyle 0-1 each
Courtwood: Alan Kinsella 0-5 (four frees), Niall Dunne 0-2 (one free), Matthew Byron (free) and Cian Doyle 0-1 each

ST JOSEPH’S: Enda Butler; Conor Kealy, Adam Campion, Aidan Brennan; Tom Dunne, Danny Hickey, James Kelly; Gearoid Lynch, Jack Lacey; Oisin Hooney, Matty Campion, Mick Keogh; Eoghan O’Flaherty, Brian Daly, Josh O’Brien, Subs: Ian Shanahan for Kealy (46), Dylan Doyle for M Campion (47, inj), Seamus Farrelly for Keogh (52)

COURTWOOD: Matthew Byron; Adam O’Halloran, Sean O’Flynn, Robbie Flynn; Colm Wilson, Dan Boland, Nathan Little; Niall Dunne, Rob Tyrrell; Paul O’Flynn, Cian Doyle, Ryan Little; Niall Donoher, Dylan Keane, Alan Kinsella. Subs: Jake Doyle for Boland and Barry Donnelly for P O’Flynn (39), Eoghan Slattery for N Little (44), Mark O’Halloran for Wilson (47)

REFEREE: Maurice Deegan (Stradbally)