Portarlington power past Rosenallis to reach Laois GAA SFC quarter-finals

Portarlington, the reigning Laois Senior Football champions, produced a composed and clinical display to see off Rosenallis and book their place in the quarter-finals in Laois Hire O'Moore Park on Saturday evening.

Colm Murphy marked his return to the starting team in style, scoring within two minutes before setting up Rioghan Murphy for an early goal that gave Port the perfect platform. By half-time, they held a 1-7 to 0-7 advantage, with Rosenallis relying on the accuracy of Charlie Friel and a John O’Loughlin two-pointer to keep themselves in touch.

Rosenallis briefly threatened a comeback after the restart, but Portarlington’s big-game experience soon told. Rioghan Murphy, a constant menace throughout, added to his tally while Colm Murphy and Paddy O’Sullivan chipped in with key scores to push their side clear.

Rosenallis battled bravely, but Alex Mohan's superb block denied them a lifeline goal, and O’Sullivan’s late point sealed a deserved victory as Port advanced to the last eight, leaving Rosenallis to regroup in the Senior ‘B’ championship.

The reigning County Champions came flying out of the traps and raced into an early four-point lead. The returning Colm Murphy came into the starting 15 in place of Evan Lyons and he wasted no time in opening his account within two minutes. Colm Murphy then set up his name sake Rioghan for a goal as he squared the ball for Rioghan to palm it past Donal Lalor. Rosenallis' first score came after six minutes as John O'Loughlin raised an orange flag to halve Port's lead.

Port kicked the next two scores through Ronan Coffey and Paddy O'Sullivan with Coffey's coming after he sold two Rosenallis defenders with a dummy solo. Charlie Friel opened his account in reply after Fiachra C-Fennell was fouled. Port pushed themselves six points ahead soon after as Rioghan Murphy pointed twice while Keith Bracken's long ball found Colm Murphy and he fisted the ball over the black spot.

Rosenallis were always looking to work a chance for a two-pointer as they soon cut Port's lead to two points thanks to two orange flags in a row. Charlie Friel pointed two frees from outside the arc, with his second free coming after Hugo Emerson didn't hand the ball back, which meant that Seamus Mulhare brought the ball forward 50 metres. Colm Murphy fired over his third point of the half just before the break as Port led by three points, 1-7 to 0-7.

The first point of the second period came the way of Rosenallis as Charlie Friel pointed a free from the 14-yard line after Port were guilty of throwing the ball away after Rosenallis were awarded a free. Rioghan Murphy was a torment for the Rosenallis throughout as he added two more points to his tally. Jack Friel replied with a point for Rosenallis, but Portarlington killed the game off with five points in 12 minutes.

O'Sullivan took his tally to two points while Sean Byrne (also making his return), Rioghan Murphy and two frees from Colm Murphy pushed Port eight points ahead after 53 minutes. In the middle of the Port dominance, Rosenallis had a great chance for goal. Jimmy Hyland ran through the Port defence before slipping the ball to Charlie Friel, but Alex Mohan was on hand to made a super block.

Jack Friel and David Dooley both raised a white flag each, but Rosenallis would need goals or two-pointers to get back into the game. Paddy O'Sullivan scored the game's final point to take his individual account to three points. Port now await the quarter-final draw tomorrow while Rosenallis drop into the Senior 'B' competition.

Final Score

Portarlington 1-15

Rosenallis 0-11

SCORERS-- Portarlington: Rioghan Murphy 1-5, Colm Murphy 0-5 (0-3 frees), Paddy O'Sullivan 0-3, Ronan Coffey and Sean Byrne 0-1 each. Rosenallis: Charlie Friel 0-6 (2 two-point frees, 0-2 frees), John O'Loughlin (two-pointer) and Jack Friel 0-2 each, David Dooley 0-1

PORTARLINGTON: Luke O’Reilly; Mikey Bennett, Alex Mohan, Curtis Lyons; Hugo Emerson, Darragh Slevin, Paddy O’Sullivan; Keith Bracken, Eoin McCann; Rioghan Murphy, Tom Corcoran, Jordan Fitzpatrick; Ronan Coffey, Darragh Galvin, Colm Murphy. Subs: Sean Michael Corcoran for T Corcoran (38 mins), Sean Byrne for Fitzpatrick (40 mins, inj), Hugh Connolly for Coffey (43 mins)

ROSENALLIS: Donal Lalor; Colin Bennett, Paddy Keating, Fiachra C Fennell; Joey Shelly, David Dooley, Diarmuid Dooley; John O’Loughlin, Jack Friel; Shane Farrell, Jimmy Hyland, John Maher; Jack Claffey, Charlie Friel, Brian Fitzpatrick. Subs: Alex Marron for Fitzpatrick (45 mins), Matthew Bennett for Maher (49 mins), John Lennon for Farrell (54 mins)

Referee: Seamus Mulhare (The Heath)