BRAVE PORTLAOISE CAME from eight down in rain sodden Longford to keep their hopes of a record eighth Leinster club football title alive.
The Laois champions leaked three first-half goals and fell eight behind early in the second-half at Pearse Park.
But they showed incredible determination to battle back to level terms at the end of the hour – outscoring the hosts by 0-3 to 0-1 in extra-time.
The win secures Portlaoise a provincial semi-final clash at home to Kildare’s Moorefield next Sunday. They did it the hard way because Longford Slashers looked great value for a famous win after the early strikes.
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Mark Smith, Martin Nevin and Niall Mulligan all hit vital majors to leave them with a commanding 3-3 to 0-6 half-time lead.
And when Nevin and Peter Foy pointed after the restart they were eight clear at 3-5 to 0-6.
But former Laois star Brian ‘Bruno’ McCormack’s move to full-forward inspired Portlaoise and he pulled back 1-2 to leave just three in it.
And points from top scorer Craig Rogers, sub goalkeeper Graham Brody and Paul Cahillane forced extra-time at 1-12 to 3-6.
Portlaoise were on top in the extra 20 minutes and shot points from sub Adrian Kelly, Rogers and ex-Laois player Kevin Fitzpatrick to edge it.
PORTLAOISE: M Nolan (0-1; 1 45); M McNulty, P Cotter, B Mulligan; E Whelan, C Healy, T Fitzgerald; C Boyle (0-1), K Lillis; G Dillon, B McCormack (1-2), B Glynn; P Cahillane (0-2), C Rogers (0-6; 2f), B Smith.
Subs: S Nerney for Dillon h/t, D Seale for Whelan h/t, G Brody (0-1; 1f) for Nolan 50, K Fitzpatrick (0-1) for Smith 52, A Kelly (0-1) for Fitzgerald 56. Smith for Glynn 75.
LONGFORD SLASHERS: C Farrell; D Glennon, B Gilleran, G Ghee; P Brady, D Brady, M Diffley; N Mulligan (1-2; 2 45), D Sheridan; T Clendinning, M Brady, M Nevin (1-1); M Smith (1-1), P Foy (0-1), C Smith (0-2; 2f).
Subs: P Dobson for Glennon 52, A Dalton for Clendinning 56, M Tarmey for Sheridan 59. Clendinning for Dobson 66.
Portlaoise to face Moorefield in Leinster football semi-final
Portlaoise (Laois) 1-15
Longford Slashers (Longford) 3-7
BRAVE PORTLAOISE CAME from eight down in rain sodden Longford to keep their hopes of a record eighth Leinster club football title alive.
The Laois champions leaked three first-half goals and fell eight behind early in the second-half at Pearse Park.
But they showed incredible determination to battle back to level terms at the end of the hour – outscoring the hosts by 0-3 to 0-1 in extra-time.
The win secures Portlaoise a provincial semi-final clash at home to Kildare’s Moorefield next Sunday. They did it the hard way because Longford Slashers looked great value for a famous win after the early strikes.
Mark Smith, Martin Nevin and Niall Mulligan all hit vital majors to leave them with a commanding 3-3 to 0-6 half-time lead.
And when Nevin and Peter Foy pointed after the restart they were eight clear at 3-5 to 0-6.
But former Laois star Brian ‘Bruno’ McCormack’s move to full-forward inspired Portlaoise and he pulled back 1-2 to leave just three in it.
And points from top scorer Craig Rogers, sub goalkeeper Graham Brody and Paul Cahillane forced extra-time at 1-12 to 3-6.
Portlaoise were on top in the extra 20 minutes and shot points from sub Adrian Kelly, Rogers and ex-Laois player Kevin Fitzpatrick to edge it.
PORTLAOISE: M Nolan (0-1; 1 45); M McNulty, P Cotter, B Mulligan; E Whelan, C Healy, T Fitzgerald; C Boyle (0-1), K Lillis; G Dillon, B McCormack (1-2), B Glynn; P Cahillane (0-2), C Rogers (0-6; 2f), B Smith.
Subs: S Nerney for Dillon h/t, D Seale for Whelan h/t, G Brody (0-1; 1f) for Nolan 50, K Fitzpatrick (0-1) for Smith 52, A Kelly (0-1) for Fitzgerald 56. Smith for Glynn 75.
LONGFORD SLASHERS: C Farrell; D Glennon, B Gilleran, G Ghee; P Brady, D Brady, M Diffley; N Mulligan (1-2; 2 45), D Sheridan; T Clendinning, M Brady, M Nevin (1-1); M Smith (1-1), P Foy (0-1), C Smith (0-2; 2f).
Subs: P Dobson for Glennon 52, A Dalton for Clendinning 56, M Tarmey for Sheridan 59. Clendinning for Dobson 66.
Referee: D Gough (Meath).
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Club Action GAA Gaelic Football Leinster Moorefield Portlaoise qualify Semi-final