Whelan leads the way as Ballyroan-Abbey cruise into Division 1 final with victory over Portlaoise

Ballyroan-Abbey stormed into the Laois Shopping Centre ACFL Division 1 final with a commanding 15-point win over a depleted Portlaoise side in Rathleague on Friday evening.

Diarmuid Whelan was the star of the show, kicking 13 points, including six from outside the arc, as his side ran out 3-21 to 0-15 winners to book their place in the decider.

Ballyroan-Abbey 3-21

Portlaoise 0-15

Portlaoise, who were missing several regular starters, had to call upon many of the same players who had already lined out earlier in the week during their Division 3 semi-final clash with Mountmellick. Despite a competitive first-half showing, the toll of that midweek effort began to show after the break as Ballyroan-Abbey, aided by the wind and Whelan’s sharpshooting, pulled away decisively.

The game’s first score saw an orange flag raised as Ricky Maher split the posts from outside the arc. Portlaoise almost had a goal a minute later but Dean Cullen’s palmed effort was somehow cleared off the line after good play from Damon Larkin and Mick O’Connell. 

Shaun Murphy had a goal chance down the other end but saw his shot flash wide of the goals. From the resulting kick-out, Conor Dunphy failed to gather possession and it allowed Marty Scully to break away and tuck the ball into the bottom corner. James McWey and Conor McWey opened their accounts soon after.

The next four scores were traded as Trevor Swayne put the ball between the posts off the outside of his right boot and Mick O'Connell scored for Portlaoise with Ballyroan-Abbey's scores coming from Enda McWey and a free from Diarmuid Whelan after Portlaoise broke the three-up rule. Portlaoise, trailing by that Scully goal, kicked on from here and went two points ahead with two two-pointers from Maher and Gary Saunders. Conor O'Callaghan curled over Portlaoise's ninth score off his left boot.

Portlaoise's lead wouldn't last for too long as Odhran Delaney fired in two goals within a minute to push Ballyroan-Abbey ahead by four points as half-time approached. Portlaoise ended the half with points from Damon Larkin and Darren Brennan with Ballyroan-Abbey ahead, 3-4 to 0-11.

Like he had done in the first-half, Maher kicked the first score of the opening period. Whelan got Ballyroan-Abbey up and running before Marty Scully raised an orange flag with a fine score from outside the arc. David Seale cut Ballyroan-Abbey's lead to three points, but from here Ballyroan-Abbey used the wind to their advantage to blow away a depleted Portlaoise side.

Whelan kicked a score from inside and outside the arc while James McWey also raised an orange flag for their third two-pointer in three minutes. Whelan kicked his second two-pointer two minutes later as Ballyroan-Abbey led 3-14 to 0-13 with 20 minutes to play.

Maher got a point back for The Town, but yet again, Whelan was on hand to split the posts from outside the arc. Ben Conroy had a half goal chance for Portlaoise, but Shaun Murphy got back to clear the ball off the line. Maher added another point to his tally in the 51st minute, in what would be Portlaoise's final score of the game. Ballyroan-Abbey ended the game with four more scores with Whelan kicking three of them and substitute Alan McWey getting his name on the scoresheet.

Ballyroan-Abbey will face either Stradbally or St Joseph's in the final with that game down for decision in Kellyville on Saturday evening.

SCORERS-- Ballyroan-Abbey: Diarmuid Whelan 0-13 (three two-pointers, 0-2 frees), Odhran Delaney 2-0, Marty Scully 1-2 (one two-pointer), James McWey 0-3 (one two-pointer), Enda McWey, Alan McWey and Conor McWey 0-1 each. Portlaoise: Ricky Maher 0-7 (two two-pointers, 0-3 frees), Gary Saunders 0-2 (two-pointer), David Seale, Damon Larkin, Darren Brennan, Conor O'Callaghan and Trevor Swayne 0-1 each.

BALLYROAN-ABBEY: Robbie Eyres; Ned Fitzpatrick, Conor Brennan, Danny Brennan; Conor McWey, Aaron McEvoy, Conaire Gee; Killian Byrne, Shaun Murphy; Colm Walsh, Marty Scully, Odhran Delaney; James McWey, Diarmuid Whelan, Enda McWey. Subs: Ciaran Byrne for Walsh (40 mins), Cathal Doyle for E McWey (42 mins), Evan McEvoy for Scully and Alan McWey for Murphy (Both 51 mins), Paudie McDonald for James McWey (53 mins).

PORTLAOISE: Cian O’Gorman; Gary Whelan, David Seale, Jack O’Connell; Trevor Swayne, Gareth Dillon, Gary Saunders; Damon Larkin, Ciaran McEvoy; Darren Brennan, Conor Dunphy, Mick O’Connell; Conor O’Callaghan, Dean Cullen, Ricky Maher. Subs: Ross Brennan for Larkin (39 mins, inj), Ben Conroy for Dunphy and Ben O'Reilly for Dillion (inj) (Both 42 mins).

Referee: Des Cooney (St Joseph's)

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