Stradbally Parish Gaels produce first half blitz to see off Na Fianna Og

The semi-final line-up in the 2026 Laois U-20 Football Championship is now complete after three-in-a-row chasing Stradbally Parish Gaels defeated Na Fianna Og by 10 points in Friday night’s quarter-final played under the lights in Crettyard.

Stradbally Parish Gaels had a great end to the first half as they scored 2-2 in the last six minutes to go from being level at six points each to 2-8 to 0-6 at half-time. The reigning champions never looked back from there and scored a third goal late on to win by double scores in the end.

The win for the Stradbally, Annanough and Timahoe amalgamation sees them into a semi-final away to Mountmellick Parish Gaels next weekend. The other semi-final clash is Graiguecullen v Portlaoise.

It took five minutes for the first score to arrive and it came from the boot of Will McGrath as he curled over a two-point free. The conditions on Friday evening were perfect for football with no wind blowing; however, there was the odd shower, but nothing major. Na Fianna Og led three points to no score after Eoin Harris pointed from play.

Stradbally Parish Gaels started to dominate around the middle and were always first to the breaking balls as they went from being three points down to two points up. David Donohue kicked their first point of the net from a free after Joe Larkin was fouled just outside the square. Stradbally Parish Gaels thought they had raised a green flag when Joe Larkin fired home, but it was ruled out for a square ball with Fionn McEvoy and Eoin Shortall both hitting the crossbar one after the other.

Donohue pointed a second free before Larkin chased a lost cause and won the ball back in the corner before playing a one-two and swinging the ball over the bar. Stradbally Parish Gaels went in front in the 15th minute thanks to a Donohue two-pointer. Ennae Byrne brought Na Fianna Og back to within one with his first score, but Cormac Deegan replied almost instantly to maintain Stradbally Parish Gaels’ two-point advantage. Two more frees followed for Byrne with the sides locked level at six points each after 23 minutes.

Stradbally Parish Gaels went up another gear for the remainder of the half with Fionn McEvoy and Seamus Ramsbottom scoring a point each. Two goals then followed soon after as Larkin flicked in an Eoghan Deegan 45 before Eoin Shortall received the ball off Donohue before turning and blasting the ball into the net. Stradbally Parish Gaels led by eight points at half-time, 2-8 to 0-6.

Will McGrath cut the lead after the restart, but Stradbally Parish Gaels always found a score down the other end. This time it came through Shortall, who was now playing full-forward and practically one leg. Na Fianna Og did have a goal chance just before Shortall’s point, but Eoin Harris couldn’t get enough on Oran Kelleher’s pass to divert it towards the goals.

Eolann Maguire got his only score of the evening for Na Fianna Og with 20 minutes to go. Goals would most certainly be needed if Na Fianna Og were to get back into the contest, but Stradbally Parish Gaels’ defensive structure was excellent, which meant that Na Fianna Og could neither create chances outside the arc nor create any big goal chances.

Ramsbottom and Byrne (free) traded scores before Shortall ended the evening with 1-2 as he raised a second white flag. He was substituted four minutes later for Liam McEvoy. The latter then played a big part in Stradbally Parish Gaels’ third goal as he caught an advanced mark from a Joe Larkin pass. He then played it to McEvoy, who had his shot saved, but Ramsbottom was on hand to smash the rebound home. Na Fianna Og did manage to score a goal of their own, but it was merely a consolation goal as Aaron Mackey scored with almost the last kick of the game.

Stradbally Parish Gaels’ quest for a third U-20 championship in a row will continue next weekend when they travel to face Mountmellick Parish Gaels.

FINAL SCORE

Stradbally Parish Gaels 3-11

Na Fianna Og 1-9

Scorers- Stradbally Parish Gaels: Seamus Ramsbottom and Eoin Shortall 1-2 each, David Donohue 0-4 (0-2 frees, one two-pointer), Joe Larkin 1-1, Cormac Deegan and Fionn McEvoy 0-1 each. Na Fianna Og: Ennae Byrne 0-4 (frees), Aaron Mackey 1-0, Will McGrath 0-3 (one two-pointer), Eolann Maguire (free) and Eoin Harris 0-1 each.

STRADBALLY PARISH GAELS: Anthony Skelly; Blaine Corcoran, PJ Daly, Colm Dundon; Adam Murray, Ben Dillon, Eoghan Deegan; Cormac Deegan, Eoin Shortall; Pauric Ramsbottom, Fionn McEvoy, Sean Tuohy; Seamus Ramsbottom, Joe Larkin, David Donohue. Subs: Liam McEvoy for Shortall (53 mins), Finn Darcy for Corcoran (59 mins)

NA FIANNA OG: Conor Brennan; Adam George, Ethan Mackey, Eoin Kelly; Hugh Wall, Conor George, Cillian Langton; Ben Griffin, Oran Kelleher; Will McGrath, Ennae Byrne, Oran Langton; Eolann Maguire, Aaron Mackey, Eoin Harris. Subs: Cathal Harris for Kelleher (56 mins), Jimmy Grufferty for Kelly (58 mins)

Referee: Eugene Dowdall (Ballylinan)