Courtwood book first ever senior county final with narrow win over St Joseph’s

Laois Shopping Centre Senior Football Championship s/f 

Courtwood 1-15 

St Joseph’s 2-11 

COURTWOOD made history on Sunday afternoon as their senior footballers reached a Laois SFC final for the first time in the club’s history by defeating the 2023 champions, St Joseph’s, setting up a landmark showdown with local rivals Portarlington. In front of a lively Laois Hire O’Moore Park crowd, they outlasted St Joseph’s in a tense semi-final and can now look forward to the decider on Sunday 12 October.

The clash had everything: goals, momentum swings, late drama, and a heroic display from goalkeeper-turned-scoring machine Matthew Byron. The Courtwood netminder was faultless from placed balls, firing over eight points, including three crucial two-point frees, and missing just one effort all day.

St Joseph’s looked sharper from the throw-in and had three points on the board within minutes. Mick Keogh, standing in on frees for the injured Eoghan O’Flaherty, converted the first. Brian Daly followed, before Danny Hickey produced a clever dummy solo to stretch the early advantage. Courtwood steadied themselves through an Alan Kinsella free on eight minutes.

Both sides traded scores as Mikie Dempsey extended the St Joseph’s tally, only for Kinsella to respond from play. Then came the game’s opening goal as Niall Dunne carved through and set up Ryan Little, who calmly buried the ball in the bottom corner. St Joseph’s hit back via Seamus Farrelly, but Byron announced himself with a spectacular 45’ from the terrace side to keep Courtwood’s noses in front.

Just when they looked settled, Gearóid Lynch found the top corner with a thunderous finish past Byron. Courtwood replied with two Byron frees, but St Joseph’s variety in attack, seven different first-half scorers, saw them hold a narrow 1-6 to 1-5 lead at the break.

The restart belonged to Courtwood. Byron strode forward to nail a two-point free, giving them the lead again, and Cian Doyle added a mark soon after. Daly clipped over a free to keep St Joseph’s close, but Doyle’s sharp response pushed the margin back to two. Keogh and Josh Lacey then struck in succession to level matters.

Still, Byron’s accuracy was relentless, another free edging Courtwood in front. But disaster struck in the 51st minute when St Joseph’s found the net for a second time. Lacey’s quick hands freed James Kelly, who picked out Daly, and the forward slid the ball beneath Byron. A free from Daly followed, stretching the gap to three with time running out.

Courtwood needed leaders, and once again, Byron delivered with his third two-point free, reducing the arrears to a single score. St Joseph’s substitute Dylan Doyle added what proved to be their last point before Courtwood unleashed a stunning late surge. Doyle slotted his third, and then substitute Dylan Keane produced a wonder strike, a two-point effort curled off the outside of his boot, to send the Courtwood faithful into ecstasy.

There was still a nervous moment to endure. A foul on Keogh presented Daly with a two-point free to snatch victory, but his kick drifted wide of the posts. Soon after, Doyle was black-carded, leaving Courtwood to finish with 14 men, yet the final whistle sparked scenes of jubilation.

For the first time, Courtwood will contest a Laois SFC Final. Their fairytale continues on October 12, where they will try to topple Portarlington and complete an unforgettable journey.

SCORERS:

Courtwood: Matthew Byron 0-8 (3 two-point frees, 0-1f, 0-1 45), Ryan Little 1-0, Cian Doyle 0-3 (0-1 mark), Alan Kinsella (0-1f) and Dylan Keane (1 two-pointer) 0-2 each.

St Joseph’s: Brian Daly 1-3 (0-2fs), Gearoid Lynch 1-0, Michael Keogh 0-2 (0-1f), Danny Hickey, Mikie Dempsey, Eoin Johnson, Josh Lacey, Dylan Doyle, and Seamus Farrelly 0-1 each.

COURTWOOD: Matthew Byron; Darragh McEvoy, Daniel Boland, Adam O’Halloran; Jake Doyle, Robbie Flynn, Eoghan Slattery; Sean O’Flynn, Robert Tyrell; Niall Dunne, Cian Doyle, Paul O’Flynn; Niall Donoher, Ryan Little, Alan Kinsella.

Subs: Nathan Little for P O'Flynn (ht), Michael Doyle for J Doyle (41m), Dylan Keane for Donoher (53m).

ST JOSEPH’S: Aaron Cooney; James Kelly, Adam Campion, Jack Lacey; Tom Dunne, Danny Hickey, Ian Shanahan; Mikie Dempsey, Gearoid Lynch; Eoin Johnson, Seamus Farrelly, Josh Lacey; Michael Keogh, Brian Daly, Oisin Hooney.

Subs: Dylan Doyle for Hooney (46m), Robbie Murphy for Farrelly (46m), Sean Brennan for Josh Lacey (60m).

Referee: Hugh Coghlan (Park/Ratheniska)