Portlaoise defeat O'Dempsey's to reach yet another Laois SFC County Final

Portlaoise are through to the Laois Shopping Centre Senior Football Championship final after they got the better of O'Dempsey's in Sunday's semi-final. Paul Cahillane scored two goals for The Town and they proved crucial in the end for Aidan Fennelly's side.

Portlaoise 2-12

O'Dempsey's 1-11

Portlaoise were the first team to register a score as midfielder Damon Larkin curled the ball over from the right-hand side. The wind was swirling towards the Portlaoise end but neither team could get a grasp of it especially Portlaoise who registered eight wides to O'Dempsey's two in the first period. O'Dempsey's first attempt of the contest almost ended up in the back of the net as Fionn Holand's shot was saved by Portlaoise goalkeeper Conor Brown. Portlaoise made it two points to nil after five minutes as Colin McEvoy kicked a long ball into Kieran Lillis, who scored a mark.

O'Dempsey's finally got their name on the scoreboard courtesy of Matthew Finlay after Mark Barry's free had hit the post. Paul Cahillane opened his account with a free. Barry kicked a score off his right boot to cut the deficit to one. Lillis replied almost instantly as Portlaoise worked the ball up from the resulting kick-out. Barry was causing Emmet Maloney all sort of problems as he got his second of the contest. Then came the biggest moment of the first period as Portlaoise raised a green flag. It was a great team score which saw Portlaoise go from Conor Brown all the way to the palm of Cahillane.

Portlaoise almost got a second goal with their next attack but Josh Hogan blasted the ball wide from close-range. Lillis kicked Portlaoise five points ahead with a great score from the sideline. O'Dempsey's replied with two points as Hatch Finlay pointed a mark after a pass from Dan McCormack and then Finlay's shot on goal went over off the top of the bar. Portlaoise ended the half with two scores of their own through a DJ White mark and a Cahillane fisted point. Portlaoise led 1-7 to 0-5 at the break.

O'Dempsey's started the second-half well as they cut Portlaoise's lead to just a goal as Barry and Finlay (free) raised white flags. In the midst of all that, Cahillane had a great chance for a second goal but was denied by a great save from Podge Bannon. Chris Finn and a superb score from substitute Eoin Finlay still left the game in the melting pot. 

Portlaoise showed their class in the next three minutes however and put the game to bed with 1-2 without reply. Cahillane pointed a free before he ended up getting a second goal which came after a mix up in the O'Dempsey's defence. Bannon played the kick-out to Jack Lennon but he slipped which allowed Ricky Maher pick up the loose ball. He played it to Kevin Swayne and he passed to Cahillane for another palmed goal. Josh Hogan made it 2-10 to 0-8 with 10 minutes to play.

Barry kicked a free before Hatch Finlay missed a great chance for goal as his shot ended up straight at Conor Brown. Another free from Barry meant that two goals separated the sides and O'Dempsey's knew that now was time to use their big players in the form of McCormack and Eoin Finlay. Swayne was fouled to give Portlaoise a chance to increase their lead to seven.

O'Dempsey's went in search of something but couldn't find it as Hatch Finlay pointed a free and Barry scored a late goal. It was a case of too little too late as Ricky Maher pointed to seal a four-point victory and a place in the county final.