Larkin’s 2-3 and Deegan’s late two-pointer sees Stradbally Parish Gaels past Portlaoise

Stradbally Parish Gaels, who are looking to win a third U-20 Football Championship in a row, have made it two wins from two in this year’s championship thanks to a two-point win over Portlaoise in Rathleague on Friday evening.

Cormac Deegan was the hero for SPG as his two-point free in the 61st minute saw them past The Town. SPG had led by three points with five minutes to go, but Portlaoise got back level with a minute remaining before Deegan stepped up to point the free from outside the arc. Deegan kicked his side’s last four points, with the number 8 also kicking two 45s in the final 10 minutes.

Joe Larkin was superb at full-forward for SPG, scoring 2-3 and very unlucky not to finish with a hat-trick after seeing a shot cleared off the line by Ben O’Connor. Ryan Morrin was brought back to try to curtail Larkin’s influence, but every time the ball went into Larkin, something good came off it.

Both sides came into the game with wins in Round 1 as SPG defeated Killeshin, while Portlaoise won away to Portarlington.

Fionn McEvoy kicked the away side ahead with a minute on the clock. Portlaoise, playing with the aid of the breeze, scored the next four points to lead by three after eight minutes. Darren Brennan pointed a free before Portlaoise won the ball back in the Stradbally defence and Ben O’Connor kicked the ball into Aaron McCormack, who turned and split the posts. A second Brennan free was followed by a score from David Timmons after an assist from David Valanius.

David Donohue got SPG’s second point of the contest from a free, but then Portlaoise got in for a goal. A ball in from Davy Delaney saw Finn Dawson beat Anthony Skelly to the ball and fist it into the net. Stradbally’s response was a good one as they got the goal back a minute later. A high ball in from Donohue found Joe Larkin, who flicked it past the onrushing Liam Conroy.

Oran Darcy then pointed to reduce Portlaoise’s lead to a single point. The half ended with both sides registering two more scores each. Conor O’Callaghan and McCormack (free) raised white flags for the home side, while Larkin and Cormac Deegan scored for the visitors. Portlaoise led 1-6 to 1-5 at the break.

SPG couldn’t have got off to a better start when the game resumed as Larkin got in for his second goal within two minutes. McCormack replied with his third point before the first orange flag was raised by Darcy. Larkin followed that up with a fisted point to put SPG ahead by four points after 35 minutes.

The game was level by the 41st minute as Portlaoise scored four points in a row for the second time. Mark O’Connor kicked a point before he curled over a two-pointer. Brennan took his tally to three points shortly after to leave the game in the melting pot. Another point from Larkin pushed SPG ahead again.

A few minutes passed without a score as SPG led by a point with 10 to play. Larkin looked destined to complete his hat-trick when his shot beat Conroy, but Ben O’Connor got back to clear it off the line for a 45. Deegan stepped up to nail the 45 for SPG. Another block from Ben O’Connor gave Deegan another chance to score from a 45 and he duly obliged to put Stradbally a goal up, 2-11 to 1-11.

Portlaoise weren’t going down without a fight as Brennan kicked a two-point free before substitute Robbie Brophy levelled the game with 59 minutes on the clock. SPG were given a chance in the 61st minute to win the game when Darcy was fouled outside the arc. Deegan nailed the free to see his side over the line and register their second win in a week.

SPG’s final group game comes against Portarlington on Friday, November 6. Portlaoise will face Killeshin on the same evening.

FINAL SCORE

Stradbally Parish Gaels 2-13

Portlaoise 1-14

Scorers- Stradbally Parish Gaels: Joe Larkin 2-3, Cormac Deegan 0-5 (one two-point free, 0-2 45s), Oran Darcy 0-3 (one two-pointer), David Donohue (free) and Fionn McEvoy 0-1 each. Portlaoise: Darren Brennan 0-5 (one two-point free, 0-2 frees), Finn Dawson 1-0, Mark O’Connor (one two-pointer) and Aaron McCormack (0-2 frees) 0-3 each, Conor O’Callaghan, Robbie Brophy and David Timmons 0-1 each.

STRADBALLY PARISH GAELS: Anthony Skelly; Blaine Corcoran, Ben Dillon, Colm Dundon; Adam Murray, Conor McDonald, Eoghan Deegan; Cormac Deegan, Eoin Shortall; Pauric Ramsbottom, Fionn McEvoy, Sean Tuohy; Oran Darcy, Joe Larkin, David Donohue. Subs: Seamus Ramsbottom for Tuohy (50 mins).

PORTLAOISE: Liam Conroy; Rio LaCumber, Sean Powders, Ryan Morrin; Davy Delaney, Ben O’Connor, Finn Dawson; Rory Tully, Josh Finn; Mark O’Connor, Darren Brennan, David Valanius; Conor O’Callaghan, Aaron McCormack, David Timmons. Subs: Jake Byrne for Valanius (36 mins), Robbie Brophy for Finn (42 mins), Danny Gavin for O’Callaghan (54 mins)

Referee: Ciaran McManus (O’Dempsey’s)