Dooley strike proves decisive as Portlaoise get the better of Sarsfields in Laois LGFA SFC

Sarsfields made the short trip to Rathleague to face Portlaoise in round two of the Senior Football Championship on Tuesday evening.

Portlaoise drew to St Joseph’s in their opening round, while Sarsfields were looking to make it two from two after their win over Park-Ratheniska. 

The home side broke at pace from the throw-in, but a pass through to Aisling Kehoe was driven to the left and wide. Meaghan Dunne opened the scoring for the visitors, pointing from play, but Portlaoise replied with a green flag as Kehoe set up Grainne Moran. Lorna O’Sullivan pointed Sarsfields’ second, but again The Town found the back of the net in response, this time courtesy of a shot from Ellen Healy, which dropped in the top corner. 

Sarsfields delivered a kickout too short, which allowed Moran to point the resulting free. Amy Ring pointed a free down the other end, soon followed by Lauren Kearney’s first white flag of the half. Susie Delaney pointed from the play in the 18th minute, which proved to be Portlaoise’s final score of the half. The away side went on to point four in a row before the break. Ring added two further frees while Aerin Ryle and an outrageous score from Kearney put the sides level at half time, 2-2 to 0-8.

Portlaoise started lively again as Kehoe had an effort from the throw-in, much like the first, but rattled the woodwork. Sarsfields pointed two in a row with Dunne and Kearney adding to their tallies. Fiona Dooley responded for Portlaoise, pointing from play and narrowing the gap to one. Rachel Williams stepped up and pointed her first, but her side’s final score of the game. 

The away side had a chance to put the game to bed, already two points up, but Ring's effort was cleared off the line by Healy, which seemed to give Portlaoise the boost they needed. Delaney and Moran pointed one after the other and brought the sides level entering the final ten minutes. 

The heavens opened and the rain poured down, making possession crucial. Dooley stepped up for Portlaoise and kicked the all-important score, which proved the winner in the 52nd minute. As Sarsfields came charging, Keeva O’Reilly was on hand to deny a Williams shot which was destined for the back of the net. 

The Town began to play keep ball for the remaining minutes, but a turnover up the pitch gave Sarsfields one last chance when they were awarded a free on the 21-metre line. Claire Conlon stepped up, but she went for goal and struck the crossbar, which Portlaoise mopped up and cleared in style. The ball went end to end, but neither side managed another score with Portlaoise finishing one point ahead when referee Johnnie Brennan blew the full-time whistle.

Final Score

Portlaoise 2-6
Sarsfields 0-11

SCORERS — Portlaoise: Grainne Moran 1-2 (0-1 free), Ellen Healy 1-0, Susie Delaney, and Fiona Dooley 0-2 each. Sarsfields: Amy Ring (frees) and Lauren Kearney 0-3 each, Meaghan Dunne 0-2, Aerin Ryle, Lorna O’Sullivan, and Rachel Williams 0-1 each. 

PORTLAOISE: Keeva O’Reilly; Ella McNulty, Deirdre Phelan, Sarah Fleming; Ciara Crowley, Aishling Saunders, Rebecca Keane; Fiona Dooley, Ellen Healy; Grainne O’Reilly, Ashling Kehoe, Susie Delaney; Leah Loughman, Grainne Moran, Shauna Dooley.  Subs: Rebecca Reddin for Keane (HT), Lara Culleton for Loughman (39 min), Faye Browne for S. Dooley (45 min), and Shauna Dooley for Kehoe (59min). 

SARSFIELDS: Roisin Dowling; Sarah Hibbitts, Aoife Hughes, Ava Lawlor; Emer Conroy, Rachel Williams, Grainne Lalor; Becky Williams, Lauren Kearney; Aoibhe Foyle, Amy McKane, Aerin Ryle; Meaghan Dunne, Amy Ring, Lorna O’Sullivan.  Subs: Laura Marie Maher for Ryle (52 min) and Claire Conlon for O’Sullivan (56 min). 

Referee: Johnnie Brennan (St Joseph’s) 

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