Portlaoise 2-16 O'Dempsey's 1-13
Portlaoise are Laois senior football champions for a 34th time - and 11th in 12 years - following their latest county final win over O'Dempsey's in O'Moore Park this afternoon.
A goal in each half from man of the match Ricky Maher were the key scores as they made their overall superiority count against an O'Dempsey's side making their first final appearance since 1983.
As rank outsiders O’Dempsey’s needed to get off to a good start and they were 0-03 to 0-02 ahead after ten minutes. They had a great goal opportunity at this juncture but All Star nominee Graham Brody pulled off a brilliant save on O’Dempsey’s star forward Matthew Finlay.
Portlaoise capitalised on this let off and rattled off 1-05 in quick succession, the goal from Maher in the 18th minute added to by points from Conor Boyle, Paul Cahillane, Gareth Dillon and Craig Rogers.
The floodgates could have opened at this stage but O’Dempsey’s hung in and with Michael Finlay and Mark Barry kicking points, they settled and then struck for a well-worked team goal, flicked to the net by big full-forward Dan McCormack from close range. When Barry Kelly pointed moments later there was one between the sides.
Captain Paul Cahillane, however, kicked the last two points of the half and Portlaoise led 1-10 to 1-7 at the break.
And Portlaoise made their winning burst early in the second half. They withstood O’Dempsey’s early forays and Maher’s goal in the 39th minute began to put distance between the sides.
At one stage Portlaoise stretched ten points clear and while O’Dempsey’s fought back as well as they could with a string of nice scores, the result was never in doubt.
Portlaoise: Graham Brody (0-01f); Colin Finn, David Seale, Gary Saunders; Chris Finn, Cahir Healy, David Holland; Ciaran McEvoy, Kieran Lillis (0-01); Gareth Dillon (0-01), Conor Boyle (0-03), Benny Carroll; Ricky Maher (2-02, 0-01f), Paul Cahillane (0-05, 0-03f), Craig Rogers (0-02, 0-01f).
Subs: Scott Lawless (0-01) for McEvoy (38), Frank Flanagan for Colin Finn (47), Conor Dunphy (0-01) for Carroll (50)
O'Dempsey's: Podge Bannon; Cormac O'Hora, Shane Nerney, Tommy Kehoe; Robbie Kehoe, Peter O'Leary, Tom Kelly; Rory Bracken, Conor Meredith (0-01); Matthew Finlay (0-05, 0-04f), Barry Kelly (0-02), Mark Barry (0-03, 0-02f); Micheál Finlay (0-02), Dan McCormack (1-00), Brian Nugent.
Subs: Johnny Kelly for Nugent (42), Stephen O'Leary for Barry (59)
Referee: Maurice Deegan (Stradbally)
