Brophy and Dempsey shine as Portlaoise capture U1/6 A Championship

LOETB Laois LGFA U/16 ‘A’ Final 

Portlaoise 1-7 

Park/Ratheniska 0-5 

STRADBALLY GAA hosted the Laois LGFA U/16 ‘A’ final on Saturday afternoon which served as the curtain raiser for the senior final.

Portlaoise had overcome Sarsfields in the semi-final while Park/Ratheniska beat St Brigid’s in a 10-goal show down. After a fine defensive and attacking display Portlaoise got the better of Park/Ratheniska.

Both sides wanted to get off to the best possible start and Portlaoise had the first opportunity when Amarachi Obi set up Aishling Dowling who was unlucky to marginally miss the target. Park/Ratheniska broke down the pitch where Maeve Kelly had a one-on-one effort, but Kate Scully pulled off a fine save.

Park/Ratheniska found their rhythm and pointed three in a row, all strook from the boot of Mia Delaney with one coming from a placed ball. Portlaoise replied strong and managed to put 1-4 on the board before half time.

Molly Jane Dempsey opened her account pointing a super score off her prominent left foot. Ellen Fitzpatrick then set up Leah Brophy who fired the ball to the top left corner of the goal raising the games only green flag. Dempsey then pointed two in a row before the break putting her side three points ahead, (1-3 to 0-3).

Ellen Fitzpatrick opened the scoring for the second period when she pointed from play which was quickly followed by a powerful goal attempt from Dempsey whistled to the left the post. Portlaoise won the resulting kick-out and Brophy’s white flag effort struck the post and fell to Kara Phelan who was unfortunate to miss the target.

Delaney pointed a free for Park/Ratheniska, her fourth point of the contest leaving just the goal separating the sides. Erin Kavanagh had an opportunity to bring the game level, but Scully pulled off a super save with her left boot keeping her side three ahead.

Portlaoise took control from here fired over three points with no reply. Having only been introduced in the previous play, Kayleigh O’Callaghan won the Park/Ratheniska kick-out and found Kara Powders who turned and slot the ball over the bar. Brophy then added a point from play and another from a placed ball giving her side a healthy six-point advantage as they entered the final 10 minutes.

Kavanagh pointed her side’s fifth and final score of the contest in the 50th minute. From here the ball went end to end, and Park/Ratheniska went in search of a goal but resilient defending from Portlaoise never allowed them through as they were crowned champions with five points to spare.

SCORERS:

Portlaoise: Leah Brophy 1-2 (0-2fs), Molly Jane Dempsey 0-3, Ellen Fitzpatrick, and Kara Powders 0-1.

Park/Ratheniska: Mia Delaney 0-4 (0-1f), Erin Kavanagh 0-1.

PORTLAOISE: Kate Scully; Samantha Stalbe, Sarah Walsh, Lucy Mulhall; Kara Powders, Alix Cullenton, Catlin Fitzpatrick; Grainne Coleman, Kara Phelan; Amarachi Obi, Ellen Fitzpatrick, Leah Brophy; Molly Jane Dempsey, Aishling Dowling, Sarah Donoghue.

Subs: Rachel Kelly for Walsh (40m), Kayleigh O’Callaghan for Dowling (40m), Emma Scully for Dempsey (61m).

PARK/RATHENISKA: Cara Deegan; Anna Szwaglis, Moya Ramsbottom, Kate Ging; Riona Dunne, Molly Fitzpatrick, Sarah Cunningham; Saffron Adams, Mary O’Hara; Adah Ramsbottom, Mia Delaney, Charlotte Lawlor; Erin Kavanagh, Maeve Kelly, Kate Conroy.

Subs: Grace Fennelly for Kelly (ht), Lily Reid for Szwaglis (40m), and Lucy Keenan for Lawlor (54m).

Referee: Kevin Phelan (St Brigid’s)