THERE WERE FEW surprised with the outcome of the Laois SFC semi-final between Portlaoise and O’Dempsey’s today.
Portlaoise progressed to compete in their ninth final over the past ten years, remaining on track for an eighth consecutive title.
With AFL star Zach Tuohy’s last minute point recording a six point winning margin, it’s easy to forget though that this game was in fact a tight affair for long periods.
Before Craig Rogers’ 53rd minute goal, which had twice rebounded off the crossbar before he fisted in, O’Dempsey’s actually led by a point.
Yet aided by the breeze for the second period, the goal entirely broke O’Dempseys resistance as the champions trotted on to the final.
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Laois and Arles-Killeen attacker Donal Kingston. Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
In the first of today’s semi-final Arles-Killeen booked their place in the final after a somewhat peculiar game against Graiguecullen.
Donal Kingston’s team led by five points to no score at one point in the first half, then 0-9 to 0-2 at the interval and 0-11 to 0-4 within the second-half, before Graiguecullen suddenly came alive.
It was Kingston’s free who had put Arles-Killen 0-5 to 0-0, and after a mini second-half revival he again provided the score which reopened their five point advantage.
Yet Graiguecullen rallied once more and dominated the final stages of the game, although they struggled to turn that momentum swing into scores.
Having reduced the margin to four earlier in the second-half, they did go one better with five minutes left to create a one score game – but it wasn’t to be and a dreadful first-half proved too much of a handicap in the end.
Arles-Killeen now face Portlaoise in the final as they go in search of a first ever county title.
Stephen Bray was named at 11 today for Navan O'Mahony's in the Meath SFC.. Dan Sheridan / INPHO
Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO
Meanwhile in Páirc Tailteann Navan O’Mahony’s have booked their place in the Meath SFC final.
Wolf Tones actually led by a point at half-time; 0-6 to 0-5, and a quick start start to the second-half put them even further ahead. A Cian Ward point left four between the teams.
Yet it was all downhill from there, four points to no reply leveled the scores at 0-9 to 0-9, from where the 18-time champions then added a further 1-3 before Wolf Tones managed their tenth point.
Which thanks to a last minute penalty save by O’Mahony’s David Quirke ultimately proved their final score.
Here’s today’s football results from the Laois and Meath SFC:
Portlaoise and Arles-Killeen breeze into Laois final while O'Mahony's win in Meath
THERE WERE FEW surprised with the outcome of the Laois SFC semi-final between Portlaoise and O’Dempsey’s today.
Portlaoise progressed to compete in their ninth final over the past ten years, remaining on track for an eighth consecutive title.
With AFL star Zach Tuohy’s last minute point recording a six point winning margin, it’s easy to forget though that this game was in fact a tight affair for long periods.
Before Craig Rogers’ 53rd minute goal, which had twice rebounded off the crossbar before he fisted in, O’Dempsey’s actually led by a point.
Yet aided by the breeze for the second period, the goal entirely broke O’Dempseys resistance as the champions trotted on to the final.
In the first of today’s semi-final Arles-Killeen booked their place in the final after a somewhat peculiar game against Graiguecullen.
Donal Kingston’s team led by five points to no score at one point in the first half, then 0-9 to 0-2 at the interval and 0-11 to 0-4 within the second-half, before Graiguecullen suddenly came alive.
It was Kingston’s free who had put Arles-Killen 0-5 to 0-0, and after a mini second-half revival he again provided the score which reopened their five point advantage.
Yet Graiguecullen rallied once more and dominated the final stages of the game, although they struggled to turn that momentum swing into scores.
Having reduced the margin to four earlier in the second-half, they did go one better with five minutes left to create a one score game – but it wasn’t to be and a dreadful first-half proved too much of a handicap in the end.
Arles-Killeen now face Portlaoise in the final as they go in search of a first ever county title.
Meanwhile in Páirc Tailteann Navan O’Mahony’s have booked their place in the Meath SFC final.
Wolf Tones actually led by a point at half-time; 0-6 to 0-5, and a quick start start to the second-half put them even further ahead. A Cian Ward point left four between the teams.
Yet it was all downhill from there, four points to no reply leveled the scores at 0-9 to 0-9, from where the 18-time champions then added a further 1-3 before Wolf Tones managed their tenth point.
Which thanks to a last minute penalty save by O’Mahony’s David Quirke ultimately proved their final score.
Here’s today’s football results from the Laois and Meath SFC:
Laois SFC semi-finals
Arles-Killeen 0-12 Graiguecullen 0-9
Portlaoise 1-12 O’Dempseys 1-6
Meath SFC semi-final
Navan O’Mahony’s 1-13 Wolfe Tones 0-10
Mossy bags a hat-trick for Vincents and Brogan goals stun Ballymun as Plunkett’s march on
Donaghmore/Ashbourne are final bound and the rest of today’s club football action
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final four action GAA Navan O'Mahony's Portlaoise GAA Laois Meath