Maher leads way as Portlaoise GAA make statement start in Laois GAA SFC

Portlaoise laid down a serious statement of intent to the rest of the senior championship as they demolished O’Dempsey’s by 18 points in Ratheniska on Saturday evening.

Portlaoise dominated from start to finish and ran out more than deserving winners. O’Dempsey’s faced an uphill battle right from the start as they were six points down early doors. They did get it back to two points at one stage of the first half, but it went downhill from there on in.

There were brilliant performances all over the field for Portlaoise, and leading the way was popular stalwart for The Town, Ricky Maher, whose mother had passed away in the days before the match.

That being said, everyone in the green and white had a part to play as their opponents had no answers to their excellence.

Portlaoise started like a house on fire and hit six unanswered points. Ricky Maher opened the scoring for The Town with Darren Brennan added a two-pointer free along with another from play with Josh Hogan and Ben O’Connor getting the other one.
Mark Barry got his side of the mark, but it wasn’t looking bright for his side. Kevin Swayne got his first of the night with his side in total control.

O’Dempsey’s then burst into life and hit the next four scores, Brian Nugent, Johnny Kelly, and two from Barry dragged their side into the contest and left the scores at 0-7 to 0-5.

Portlaoise then upped the tempo and went through the gears for the rest of the half. Emmett Maloney raised a white flag and in the next play he got a goal for himself with a tidy finish past Podge Bannon. MORE BELOW PHOTO.

Portlaoise players celebrate this goal over O'Dempseys. Photo: Denis Byrne

Maher hit the final scores of the half to give Portlaoise a commanding lead at the break 1-10 to 0-5.

The Killenard men hit the first point through Joe Finn before Maher added another point to his name. Nugent did add another for his side, but Portlaoise smelt blood and put the game beyond doubt in the next four minutes.

Maher, who was excellent, added another brilliant point and then he assisted Colin McEvoy for Portlaoise’s second goal. Maher ran at the heart of the defence and laid the ball to McEvoy, who palmed it to the net.

Straight after that a third goal came through Josh Hogan and the game was up, it was a matter of how much Portlaoise were going to win by.

Dan McCormack found the net for O’Demspey’s as they kept battling away. But Maher responded again for Portlaoise with two more points.

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Mark Barry added a second goal, but time was against the Killenard club as the lead was too big.

Portlaoise unleashed Conor O’Callaghan off the bench and he made a serious impact when he came on.

He found the net for Portlaoise’s fourth goal after more excellent work from Ricky Maher. Darren Brennan added another point for his side, as Portlaoise were at their ease.

O’Callaghan added a further goal and a point to his name while Ben O’Connor added the last point of the night as Portlaoise ran out deserving winners in the Laois GAA Laois Shopping Centre SFC opener.

Final Score

Portlaoise 5-17
O’Dempsey’s 2-8

TEAMS & SCORERS below photo

Josh Hogan, Portlaoise, looking to gain possession with Joe Finn, O'Dempseys, at his shoulder. Photo: Denis Byrne

SCORERS – Portlaoise: Ricky Maher 0-7 (0-2 frees) Conor O’Callaghan 2-1, Darren Brennan 0-4 (two point free), Josh Hogan, Emmett Maloney 1-1 each, Colin McEvoy 1-0, Ben O’Connor 0-2, Kevin Swayne 0-1 O’Dempsey’s: Mark Barry 1-4 (0-1 free), Dan McCormack 1-0, Brian Nugent 0-2, Johnny Kelly, Joe Finn 0-1

PORTLAOISE: Conor Brown; Gary Whelan, David Seale, Conor Raggett; Colin McEvoy, Ben Dempsey, Ben O’Connor; Kevin Swayne, Ben Reddin; Josh Hogan, Emmett Maloney, Darren Brennan; Ricky Maher, Kieran Lillis, Benny Carroll. Subs: Trevor Swayne for Raggett (42) Conor O’ Callaghan for Carroll (52)

O’DEMPSEY’S: Podge Bannon; Adam O’Leary, Johnny Kelly, Cormac O’Hora; Eoghan Fitzpatrick, Shane Nerney, Jack Lennon; Barry Kelly, Fionn Holland; Mark Barry, Brian Nugent, Matthew Finlay; Joe Finn, Dan McCormack, Ryan Phelan. Subs: Barry Howlin for Finlay (36), Stephen Lennon for Phelan (42), Eoin Finlay for Nugent (42), Pat Maher for O’Hora (46)

REFEREE: Michael Tarpey (Kilcavan)