Champions Portarlington face Arles-Killeen as Portlaoise meet Courtwood in Laois SFC quarter-finals

The Laois Shopping Centre Senior Football Championship reaches the quarter-final stage this weekend with a mouth-watering double-header in Laois Hire O’Moore Park on Saturday evening.

First up at 5.30pm, reigning champions Portarlington face Arles-Killeen in what promises to be a tightly contested encounter. Current champions Portarlington, winners of the championship in four of the last five years, have had a mixed run to this stage. They opened their campaign with victory over The Heath, but suffered defeat to Graiguecullen in Round 2 before recovering to overcome Rosenallis in Round 3.

Arles-Killeen, meanwhile, have been one of the more consistent sides in this year’s championship. Wins over Rosenallis (3-17 to 3-15) and Killeshin (1-12 to 1-11) secured their passage to the last eight with a five-week break in hand. They'll be hoping that the five-week break works in their favour as they aim to dethrone the champions.

The second game throws in at 7.15pm, with Portlaoise meeting Courtwood. Portlaoise booked their quarter-final spot thanks to a dramatic late winner from Benny Carroll against St Joseph’s in Round 2, following an emphatic 5-17 to 2-8 win over O’Dempsey’s in their opener.

Courtwood arrive with plenty of momentum after seeing off neighbours O’Dempsey’s in Round 3. Their championship began in style with a 2-23 to 0-10 victory over Crettyard, but a narrow loss to Ballyroan-Abbey in Round 2 forced them down the backdoor route. They will look to upset the odds against The Town on Saturday evening and secure a spot in the semi-finals.

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