Maher strikes twice as Portarlington clinch Junior 'B' Football title

Portarlington were crowned Laois Shopping Centre JFC 'B' champions in the LOETB Centre of Excellence on Wednesday night after beating Castletown by seven points.

Two goals from Conor Maher came at vital moments in the game, which proved a huge difference; one came just before half-time, and the second one came straight from the throw-in at the start of the second half, which gave Castletown too much to do.

Castletown did get it back to four points with ten minutes left, but Evan Lyons kicked over the last three points to crown Portarlington deserving champions.

Tom Og Phelan got the scoring underway to give Castletown an early lead, but Portarlington quickly settled and would kick three points in a row to put them into a lead they never relinquished. PJ Ward equalised, while the brilliant Evan Lyons hit a brace to give Portarlington the lead of 0-3 to 0-1 in the early stages of the half.

Ryan Mullaney responded for Castletown with his first point of the game, but Portarlington hit three more points in a row and were getting scores much easier than their opponents. This time Lucas Coleman, Jordan Fallon (free) and Corey Lyons were all on target as Portarlington increased their lead.

Mullaney and Ben McCann then traded points before Castletown were denied a goal after a brilliant block from Dylan Murphy after a Conor Phelan shot, but the danger wasn't cleared as Ryan Mullaney picked up the loose ball and unleashed a shot that cannoned off the crossbar and was cleared.

Portarlington then got the next score through Cathal Ward as they remained in control of the game. Mullaney was then denied again through a brilliant save from Adam O'Reilly, which proved crucial.

Castletown then got control for a period and kicked over three points through Mullaney, Daniel Whelan and Conor Whelan to leave the scores at 0-8 to 0-6 with half time closing.

The victors finished the half with a bang, with Jordan Fallon grabbing a brace of points, before a well-worked team move ended with Conor Maher finishing it to the net to give Portarlington breathing space coming up to half-time. Jack Breen would get the last score of the half as the scores were 1-10 to 0-7 to Portarlington at half time.

Disaster struck for Castletown straight after half-time as Conor Maher got his second goal of the game to put nine points between the teams, and it looked like it was over even that early in the half.

But Castletown hit back straight away through a well-taken goal from James Mullaney, who lobbed Adam O'Reilly as he tried to close down Mullaney to bring them right back into the game.

Both teams then traded points through a Conor Maher 45, while Ryan Mullaney kept Castletown in the game with another free. Jack Whelan would increase the lead once again for Portarlington with a well-taken point to extend their lead to seven points as the game was going down the final stretch.

Castletown raised their second green flag through Gearoid Gaughan, who got a deft flick of his boot onto a shot from Ryan Mullaney.

It was game on now, but Portarlington showed their class in the final moments of the game as they kept possession and would kick the final three points from Evan Lyons to be crowned champions.

FINAL SCORE

Portarlington 2-15

Castletown 2-8

SCORERS - Portarlington: Conor Maher 2-1 (0-1 45), Evan Lyons 0-5 (0-3 frees), Jordan Fallon 0-3 (0-2 frees), PJ Ward, Lucas Coleman, Corey Lyons, Ben McCann, Cathal Ward and Jack Whelan 0-1 each. Castletown: Ryan Mullaney 0-4 (0-2 frees), James Mullaney and Gearoid Gaughan 1-0 each, Tom Og Phelan, Daniel Whelan, Conor Phelan and Jack Breen 0-1 each.

PORTARLINGTON: Adam O’Reilly; Jack Murphy, Dylan Murphy, Conor McCarthy; Matthew O’Sullivan, Graham Weldon, Lucas Coleman; Jordan Fallon, Corey Lyons; Cathal Ward, Evan Lyons, Jack Whelan; Benny McCann, PJ Ward, Conor Maher. Subs: Stephen O'Neil for Maher (43 mins), Cathal Ryan for Dylan Murphy (56 mins), Sean Higgins for McCarthy (60 mins).

CASTLETOWN: Matthew Peters; Martin Reddin, Evan Cuddy, John Caughan; Daniel Whelan, Conor Walsh, Jack Breen; Tom Og Phelan, Shane Phelan; Conor Phelan, Ryan Mullaney, Tadgh Cuddy; Joe Phelan, James Mullaney, Aaron Gaughan. Subs: Gearoid Gaughan for Gaughan (38 mins), Callum Peters for Whelan (53 mins).

REFEREE: Eugene Dowdall (Ballylinan)