Sarfields surge in style to Laois title in win over Portlaoise

The Laois Ladies Football League Division 1 crown belongs to Sarsfields after a dominant win over Portlaoise on Sunday afternoon in the Centre of Excellence.

Sarsfields built a formidable eight-point lead in the first half and despite a spirited comeback from Portlaoise in the third quarter, it was Sarsfields who closed the game out in style to get their hands on the trophy.

Portlaoise were going for their third Division 1 title in a row, having beaten Sarsfields in the 2023 decider before beating St Joseph's in last year's final, but the trophy has changed hands after a triumphant performance from Sarsfields saw them win by eight points.

Portlaoise beat St Conleth's by 3-10 to 1-5 in the semi-finals while the Mountmellick-based Sarsfields got the better of Graiguecullen on a scoreline of 3-10 to 0-11. Both Portlaoise and Sarsfields emerged out of Group A, with Portlaoise coming out on top when the sides clashed in April, winning by four points.

But it was Sarsfields who started the final in flying form and their bright start was rewarded with two good scores from Lorna O’Sullivan in the opening five minutes. Portlaoise were on the board through Leah Loughman but Sarsfields hit back with a free from Amy Ring in the 10th minute.

Ring added to that when she pointed another free as Sarsfields looked to press home their advantage midway through the first half. Sarsfields were doing all the attacking and added a brilliant score when Aoibhe Foyle fisted over the bar to finish off a great team move. MORE BELOW PHOTO

Amy Ring, Sarsfields, breaking on gaol with Aoibhe O'Brien, Portlaoise, giving chase.

Foyle then turned provider when she surged down the right flank before picking out O’Sullivan inside, who finished the move with a shot into the top corner to raise a green flag in the 22nd minute. Ring followed that by pointing twice from play to put Sarsfields nine points up.

Portlaoise had the chance to hit back with a goal just before half time but an incredible save from Sarsfields goalkeeper Roisin Dowling turned Jasmine Burke's shot onto the crossbar. Aisling Kehoe knocked over a point from the rebound but Portlaoise could not find another score before the break as they trailed 1-7 to 0-2 at half time.

Portlaoise were not helped by injuries, with Kevin O’Grady forced to replace two defenders as Aisling Saunders and Rebecca Reddin were both forced off in the second quarter. Sarsfields had the advantage of the wind in the first half, but it was their composure on the ball and their ability to win back possession at almost every turn that meant Donnacha Phelan's side were full value for their eight-point advantage.

Foyle pushed Sarsfields further in front after the restart but Portlaoise replied with a free from Grainne Moran. With five minutes played in the second half, Portlaoise cut the gap by three when Aisling Kehoe blasted a shot into the Sarsfields net.
With the momentum firmly in their favour and only 15 minutes left on the clock, Portlaoise reduced the deficit to just three points as Moran slotted another two frees from distance.

READ ALSO: Portlaoise take the spoils in top class Division 2 final

Sarsfields went quarter of an hour without a score before substitute Caoimhe Maher finally knocked one over followed soon after by a free from Ring.

Referee Robbie Moran then awarded a penalty to Sarsfields with Portlaoise full back Amy Byrne receiving a yellow card, meaning she would spend the rest of the game in the sin bin.

Amy Ring stepped up and dispatched the penalty to raise a second green flag to restore the eight-point lead for Sarsfields. O’Sullivan and Kehoe traded scores at the end to bring the game to a close, with Sarsfields left to celebrate their victory.

Final Score:

SARSFIELDS 2-11

PORTLAOISE 1-06

TEAMS & SCORERS below photo

Sarsfields captain Lorna O'Sullivan and Portlaoise captain Aisling Kehoe with referee Robbie Moran.

Sarsfields: Amy Ring 1-5 (1-0 penalty, 0-3 frees), Lorna O’Sullivan 1-3, Aoibhe Foyle 0-2, Caoimhe Maher 0-1.

Portlaoise: Aisling Kehoe 1-2, Grainne Moran 0-3 (all frees), Leah Loughman 0-1.

SARSFIELDS: Roisin Dowling; Ava Lawlor, Aoife Hughes, Sarah Hibbitts; Emer Conroy, Rachel Williams, Jane Hyland; Aerin Ryle, Amy McKane; Amy Loughman, Becky Williams, Nicole Matthews; Aoibhe Foyle, Amy Ring, Lorna O’Sullivan.
Subs: Caoimhe Maher for Ryle (35), Emma Delaney for Matthews (56), Clare Conlon for McKane (60), Meaghan Dunne for O’Sullivan (62).

PORTLAOISE: Sarah Fleming; Rebecca Reddin, Amy Byrne, Aoibhe O’Brien; Emma Dunne, Aisling Saunders, Rebecca Keane; Grainne O’Reilly, Alison Taylor; Doireann Brennan, Grainne Moran, Ella McNulty; Shauna Dooley, Aisling Kehoe, Leah Loughman. Subs: Tori Byrne for Reddin (inj, 23), Jasmine Burke for Saunders (inj, 26), Tori Byrne and Faye Brown for Brennan and Loughman (both 56).

REFEREE: Robbie Moran (Graiguecullen)