Portlaoise the big winners on opening weekend of Laois Senior Football Championship

IF there were any doubts as to Portlaoise’s desire to make it six Laois Senior Football titles in a row this year they were dispelled in spectacular fashion in their opening game against Crettyard as they posted a 32 point victory against their over matched opponents.

Portlaoise cruised from start to finish eventually finishing the game winning by 6-20 to 1-3.

While not as spectacular as Portlaoise, their expected closest challengers for the title all got their campaigns off to winning starts.

Arlers-Kilcruise recorded a 0-13 to 0-8 win over neighbours Killeshin while Graiguecullen saw off Ballylinan by 0-13 to 0-10. However the sides will now meet in the next round in a repeat of last year’s semi-final.

In the game of the weekend Timahoe saw off Stradbally in a cracker on Friday night by 2-13 to 2-10.

Another local derby saw The Rock overcome Mountmellick by 0-12 to 0-6. St Joseph’s had five points to spare against O’Dempsey’s, Arles Killeen had four points to spare over The Heath while Portarlington defeated Clonaslee St Manman’s with the same margin to spare.

See this week’s Leinster Express for full reports and pictures from all the games.

Results

Stradbally 2-11 Timahoe 2-13
The Rock 0-12 Mountmellick 0-6
St Joseph’s 1-13 O’Dempseys 1-8
Graiguecullen 0-13 Ballylinan 0-10
Killeshin 0-8 Arles/Kilcruise 0-13
Arles/Killeen 1-12 The Heath 0-11
Portlaoise 6-20 Crettyard 1-3
Clonaslee St Manmans 1-7 Portarlington 0-14

Next Round Draw

Losers section SFC: Ballylinan v O’Dempseys, Clonaslee v Mountmellick, Stradbally v Crettyard, The Heath v Killeshin

Laois SFC Draw Winners Section: Portlaoise v Portarlington, Arles Killeen v Timahoe, Arles Kilcruise v Graigue, St Josrphs v The Rock

Third Round

Losers of Winners Section v Winners of Losers Section.