Plucky Portlaoise upset the Laois GAA hurling applecart again

For the second week in succession, Portlaoise have caused an upset in the Laois SHC as they defeated The Harps by three points in Laois Hire O’Moore Park in round two of the championship.

Despite their enthralling comeback to draw against Camross in the opening round, Portlaoise still came into this contest as big underdogs despite The Harps’ impressive victory over St Lazerian's, Abbeyleix in their first round fixture, but that mattered little to The Town as they were on top from start to finish.

An early goal from Eddie Critchley gave the town's GAA club hurlers the lead and after taking the lead initially, The Harps never got back in front from that point on.

Portlaoise’s work rate and their innate ability to keep possession with intricate handpassing and running off the shoulder was ultimately the difference between the two sides.

Their fine attacking moves generally came off the back of some fantastic defensive work with Cormac Rigney and Eoin O’Connor each putting in top quality performances against The Harps’ lively and potent forwards.

A fine pair of points from opposing centre forwards Ben Brennan and Hugh Whelan set the tone for what would be an enthralling first half before Ross Deegan pipped The Harps back in front with a nice score.

The Harps’ lead was wiped out just moments later as Cathal Duggan took possession wide right on the sideline and pinged a perfect pass inside to Eddie Critchley to rattle the net from close range and put The Town in front.

Podge Delaney again lined out in the forwards for The Harps and he traded points with Sean Culleton before Whelan and Ciaran Comerford each struck to bring the sides level after 13 minutes. MORE BELOW PHOTO.

Cathal Duggan, Portlaoise in possession with Rory Dunne and Cathal Phelan, Harps looking to dispossess. Photo Denis Byrne

Portlaoise’s workrate was incredible throughout the contest as they pressed high up the field and it paid dividends as they slotted four points in succession with two fine efforts from Eoin O’Connor along with one each for Culleton and Matthew Dempsey.

Scores into the Abbeyleix end from Conor Brophy and Podge Delaney cut the gap back to two until Culleton replied with a free.
After being overran for a period it was The Harps’ turn to rally with Michael Monahan battling past a couple of defenders and firing over, soon followed with a Comerford brace from play.

Portlaoise would have the better of the final minutes before the break with three fantastic scores from Ciaran McEvoy, Ben Brennan and Conor Raggett to make it 1-10 to 0-11 at half time.

Both sides made great use of their bench in the opening round and they both tried again in this one as The Harps introduced Jim O’Connor and Eoghan Murphy, while Portlaoise brought in John Mark Foley, who proved to be a menace to The Harps’ backs.

The teams traded a trio of scores within five minutes of the restart with Cormac Rigney, Brennan and Dempsey all on target in reply to a brace of Comerford frees along with a third from play by Whelan.

Rigney launched over hit second from distance before a reply from Eoghan Doheny and things were about to take a turn for Portlaoise when Critchley was fouled under a high ball and a penalty was awarded which Brochan O’Reilly smashed into the top corner. MORE BELOW PHOTO.

Portlaoise keeper Brochan O'Reilly clears his lines. Pic: Denis Byrne

The Harps mustered a couple of points from Comerford frees in response but they were struggling to overcome the hassling and workrate from the men in green and white as their fitness levels continued to amaze.

Foley struck a fine brace along with putting in some fantastic work in holding up possession and winning aerial duels as Portlaoise once again upped the pressure on their opponents.

Two Culleton frees and another from play by the excellent corner forward gave Portlaoise what seemed like an unassailable eight point lead with just four minutes left of normal time.

READ ALSO: Laois GAA amends senior hurling championship result after final whistle

Things are never that easy in the championship however as The Harps found a second wind and some nerves appeared in The Town with misplaced passes resulting in a score for Cathal Murphy and Portlaoise were really made to sweat when Cody Comerford connected sweetly with a lobbed in 65 and rippled the net in injury time.

Despite a point from Justin Duggan late on to cut the gap to three, The Harps couldn’t find the all elusive equalizing goal after some heroic defending by Portlaoise to secure their massive victory.

Final Score:

PORTLAOISE 2-19
THE HARPS 1-19

SCORERS & TEAMS below photo

Podge Delaney, The Harps sending this sliotar long against Portlaoise. Pic: Denis Byrne

Portlaoise: Sean Culleton 0-5 (four frees), Eddie Critchley 1-1, Ben Brennan 0-3, Broughan O’Reilly 1-0 (penalty), Cormac Rigney, Matthew Dempsey, John Mark Foley and Eoin O’Connor 0-2 each, Ciaran McEvoy and Conor Raggett 0-1 each.

The Harps: Ciaran Comerford 0-8 (six frees), Cody Comerford 1-0, Hugh Whelan 0-3, Podge Delaney 0-2, Ross Deegan, Justin Duggan, Cathal Murphy, Eoghan Doheny, Michael Monahan and Conor Brophy 0-1 each.

THE HARPS: Michael Lanigan; Cathal Phelan, Cody Comerford, Rory Dunne; Ciaran Flynn, Padraic Dunne, Cathal Murphy; Conor Brophy, Eoghan Doheny; Hugh Whelan, Podge Delaney, Michael Monahan; Eoin Clancy, Ciaran Comerford, Ross Deegan. Subs: Eoghan Murphy for Clancy (HT), Jim O’Connor for Monohan (HT), Rian Edwards for Brophy (38), Justin Duggan for Deegan (45), Daniel Comerforf for Doheny (53)
PORTLAOISE: Broughan O’Reilly; Bryan Naughton, Ciaran McEvoy, Colin McEvoy; Cormac Rigney, Eoin O’Connor, Cian Dowling-Byrne; Dean Lynch, Jamie Keenan; Conor Raggett, Ben Brennan, Matthew Dempsey; Sean Culliton, Cathal Duggan, Eddie Critchley. Subs: John Mark Foley for Jamie Keenan (HT), Liam Conroy for O’Connor (45), David O’Mahoney for Lynch (55)

REFEREE: Kieran Bowe (Rathdowney-Errill)