Laois GAA football champs Portarlington hit ground running in title defence

The opening game of the 2025 Laois Senior Football saw champions Portarlington take on 2024 Senior ‘B’ champions The Heath on a dull Wednesday evening in Laois Hire O’Moore Park.

Pat Roe was part of the panel when The Heath last won a senior championship in 1993, but this year he leads Portarlington once again as they look to defend their crown and saw his current side come out on top by 10 points in Portlaoise.

Darragh Galvin impressed most for Port in the victory as the lively full forward came away with five points from play, two of which came at vital stages in the second half as The Heath were battling back into contention and after Ronan Coffey received a late black card.

Despite there being 10 points in it by the final whistle, it wasn’t all easy going for Portarlington and the plucky underdogs certainly exposed some frailties for Roe and co to work on going forward.

After an initial feeling out period where the sides each saw chances going wayward, Portarlington had a devastating opening 10 minutes which saw them take a seven point lead before The Heath could even register a score.

Daragh Galvin kicked the opening score and Ronan Coffey almost followed with a goal but his effort blazed over the bar. Portarlington didn't have long to wait for a green flag, however, as JP Nerney's kickout landed in the possession for Jordan Fitzpatrick and he tore inside before lashing it into the net.

Points from Corey Lyons and Sean Michael Corcoran added to The Heath's woes, though it could have been worse for them as Corcoran's point could just as easily have been a goal but the effort was misjudged.  MORE BELOW PHOTO.

Referee Jamie McDonald with Captains Ronan Coffey, Portarlington, and PJ Daly, The Heath, ahead of throw-in for the Senior Football Championship 2025 at Laois Hire O'Moore Park. Photo: Denis Byrne

After suffering a poor start, The Heath eventually found their feet with Ciaran Booth getting them off the mark with a fine point and after an initial reply from Fitzpatrick, The Heath kicked the next three scores.

Sam Rooney pointed after a great run inside by Fitzpatrick and James Phelan followed with a beautifully struck free outside the arc for a valuable two points before Sean Kirby slotted a free from close range.

The Heath were down to 14 for the final 10 minutes of the half as Rooney received a black card for a cynical foul which saw Portarlington finish the half on the upswing.

Jason Moore powered over a two pointer from play before Ronan Coffey slotted what appeared to be a two point free, but only one was awarded. Had the result been closer this may have caused a headache.

A point each for Jordan Fitzpatrick and Corey Lyons either side of a Fitzpatrick free for The Heath saw Portarlington lead 1-10 to 0-6 at half time.

Paddy Fitzpatrick cut two points off The Heath's deficit immediately after the restart with a beautifully struck effort off his left outside the arc and he added another two pointer from a free after a reply from Evan Lyons.

The Heath were starting to up the ante on the hot favourites and had their opponents under pressure for large parts of the second half with points from Fitzpatrick and Kirby cutting the gap further as just two split them with 15 minutes left to play.

Daragh Galvin pointed well after a fine pass inside by Coffey to restore some composure for Portarlington, but they were dealt a blow when Coffey was awarded a black card for a foul on Neil Keane with ten minutes left to play.

Ultimately, The Heath couldn't take advantage of having the extra man as they failed to score for the remainder of the contest, a disastrous return after playing so well to that stage of the half.

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Galvin added his third point of the contest before Corey Lyons put the game to bed with an audacious goal as he lobbed Nerney from the 21 and landed the ball straight into the back corner of the net.

A point from Tom Corcoran and a late brace by Galvin secured a 10 point victory for Portarlington in the end, a scoreline that maybe flattered them a little.

Final score

PORTARLINGTON 2-16
THE HEATH 0-12

TEAMS & SCORERS BELOW PICTURE

Paddy O'Sullivan, Portarlington, with Robbie Dowling and Sean Kirby, The Heath, running to challenge Photo Denis Byrne

SCORERS - Portarlington: Jordan Fitzpatrick 1-2, Daragh Galvin 0-5, Corey Lyons 1-1, Jason Moore (two pointer) and Ronan Coffey (one free) 0-2 each, Sean Michael Corcoran and Tom Corcoran 0-1 each. The Heath: Paddy Fitzpatrick 0-5 (two pointer, one free, two-point free), James Phelan 0-3 (two-point free), Sean Kirby 0-2 (one free), Ciaran Booth and Sam Rooney 0-1 each.

PORTARLINGTON: Luke O'Reilly; Curtis Lyons, Alex Mohan, Tom Corcoran; Hugo Emerson, Jason Moore, Paddy O'Sullivan; Keith Bracken, Eoin McCann; Sean Michael Corcoran, Ronan Coffey, Jordan Fitzpatrick; Corey Lyons, Daragh Galvin, Evan Lyons. Subs: Adam Kirwan for E Lyons (52)

THE HEATH: JP Nerney; PJ Larkin, Gary Roe, Alan Whelan; Jimmy Nerney, Neil Keane, Dylan Kavanagh; PJ Daly, Robbie Dowling; Sean Kirby, Paddy Fitzpatrick, Sam Rooney; Brian Ging, Ciaran Booth, James Phelan. Subs: Denis Booth for Kirby (36), Conor Hyland for Rooney (49), David O'Brien for Dowling (54), Leon Holland for Phelan (59)

REFEREE: Jamie McDonald (Rosenallis)