Courtwood turn the tide to see off Stradbally

Laois Shopping Centre Senior Football Championship q/f 

Courtwood 0-18 

Stradbally 1-12 

COURTWOOD have secured a place in the Laois Shopping Centre SFC semi-finals for the second year running after producing a powerful finish to see off Stradbally on Saturday evening.

The beaten finalists from last year looked in danger of suffering a quarter-final exit for much of the contest, with Stradbally holding the upper hand and leading by a point at the interval. However, their inability to make the most of a number of scoring opportunities ultimately proved costly.

Courtwood found another gear in the closing stages, scoring five times between the 50th and 63rd minutes while Stradbally endured a frustrating 20-minute spell in the second half without a score.

It took five minutes for the opening score to arrive, with Courtwood eventually breaking the deadlock through Rob Tyrrell. Stradbally had already passed up several opportunities before then, and those misses would become an increasing source of frustration.

Despite their wastefulness, Stradbally controlled much of the early exchanges and responded with four points in succession. Tom Shiels played Joe Larkin in for their opening score before David Dineen added another. Shiels then produced an excellent two-pointer to put his side in front.

The scores continued to be exchanged as Shiels and Fionn McEvoy added further points for Padraig Clancy’s team. Courtwood responded through Mark O’Halloran, who registered a two-pointer, while Tadgh Slattery also found the target.

Stradbally then established a four-point advantage when Dineen picked out David Donohue, who made no mistake with the finish, sliding the ball underneath Courtwood goalkeeper Matthew Byron for the game’s first goal.

Courtwood showed excellent character in their response, wiping out the deficit in little more than a minute and a half. Byron converted a free before Slattery and Little both added points to their tallies.

There was still time for both sides to create major chances before the break. Courtwood came agonisingly close when Stradbally’s Ben Dillon kicked the ball straight to Little, who supplied Alan Kinsella. Kinsella’s effort came crashing back off the Stradbally crossbar.

Stradbally immediately threatened at the other end. Jake Doyle failed to gather a Byron kick-out, allowing Conor Buggie a clear run towards goal, but Byron spared his blushes with an excellent save to keep the ball out.

Stradbally therefore went into half-time holding a narrow advantage, leading 1-6 to 0-8.

McEvoy extended that lead shortly after the restart, but Courtwood continued to threaten. Kinsella appeared to have created an opportunity for Little, only for Sean Maher to produce a crucial intervention, getting a fist to the ball and diverting it over the crossbar.

Shiels then converted a free to leave Stradbally two points ahead with 25 minutes remaining, but that would prove to be their final period of control.

Courtwood began to take charge of proceedings. Tyrrell kicked his second point before Kinsella, who had yet to register a score, came to life. He struck from outside the arc before adding another point with his fist.

McEvoy responded with his second score of the half and then Colm Begley’s point brought the teams level with 43 minutes played.

From there, Courtwood took complete control. Little put them ahead before substitute Dylan Keane added another. Little then converted a mark for his fifth point of the evening, while Kinsella continued his outstanding second half contribution by bringing his tally to four.

Danny Luttrell completed Courtwood’s scoring with a palmed effort that sailed over the crossbar.

Shiels did manage to produce one final moment for Stradbally, curling over his second two-pointer with the last kick of the game. It was merely a consolation, however, as Courtwood had already done enough to secure victory.

SCORERS:

Courtwood: Ryan Little 0-5 (0-1 mark), Alan Kinsella 0-4 (1 tp), Tadgh Slattery, Mark O’Halloran (tp) and Rob Tyrrell 0-2 each, Matthew Byron (f), Danny Luttrell and Dylan Keane 0-1 each.

Stradbally: Tom Shiels 0-6 (2 tp, 0-1f), David Donohue 1-0, Fionn McEvoy 0-3, David Dineen, Joe Larkin and Colm Begley 0-1 each.

COURTWOOD: Matthew Byron; Darragh McEvoy, Dan Boland, Adam O’Halloran; Jake Doyle, Sean O’Flynn, Eddie Boland; Mark O’Halloran, Rob Tyrrell; Paul O’Flynn, Alan Kinsella, Tadgh Slattery; Cian Doyle, Ryan Little, Niall Donoher.

Subs: Collins Ugochukwu for McEvoy (ht), Dylan Keane for P O’Flynn (42m), Eoghan Slattery for J Doyle (42m), Danny Luttrell for T Slattery (54m).

STRADBALLY: Garry Comerford; Sean Maher, Liam Knowles, Conor McDonald; Eoin Buggie, Colm Begley, Ben Dillon; Jack Deegan, Fionn McEvoy; Tom Shiels, Conor Buggie, Joe Larkin; Conor Goode, David Dineen, David Donohue.

Subs: Jody Dillon for Dineen (54m), Benny Lawlor for Larkin (54m), Eamonn Delaney for Dillon (58m).

Referee: Brendan McCann (Portarlington)