Doyle goal sparks Courtwood comeback in championship opener

Courtwood 2-9 

O’Dempsey’s 1-8 

THIS opening round SFC game on Thursday evening at Laois Hire O'Moore Park pitted Division 1 League champions, Courtwood against neighbours O'Dempsey's in a keenly anticipated local clash. While Courtwood arrived as league champions and favourites, O'Dempsey's produced an impressive display to lay down an early championship marker in a contest that took its time to get going.

After a scrappy opening half in which O'Dempsey's led for long periods despite both sides squandering a host of chances, Courtwood produced a far more polished display after the break as they gradually reeled in their opponents before Cian Doyle's 46th-minute goal swung the momentum decisively in their favour. A second major from Dylan Keane sealed the win, ensuring Courtwood overcame an early scare to begin their Senior Championship campaign with a hard-earned victory over a spirited O'Dempsey's side.

Courtwood opened the scoring through an Alan Kinsella free, but they would endure a frustrating 20-minute spell without another score and O’Dempsey’s responded in emphatic fashion when Barry Howlin split the posts with a superb two-pointer to edge his side in front. Ultan Dunne then converted a free before Howlin added his second point from play to leave O’Dempsey’s firmly in control.

The men in white steadied themselves with back-to-back Alan Kinsella frees to cut the deficit, and they came agonisingly close to finding the net moments later. Ryan Little looked destined to finish to the goal, only for Joe Lennon to produce a magnificent last-ditch block that preserved O’Dempsey’s advantage. They then capitalised on that crucial defensive intervention almost immediately, with Barry Howlin raising another white flag to round off the opening spell giving his side a two-point lead, (0-7 to 0-5).

The game burst into life after the restart, with the second half providing the intensity and quality that had been missing before the interval. Courtwood quickly reduced the deficit through Rob Tyrrell after Tadhg Slattery's goal bound effort was blocked, but O'Dempsey's responded with a point from Fionn Holland to keep their noses in front.

Courtwood continued to press and were left frustrated when Tyrrell was dispossessed after another promising attack, while Little was perhaps fortunate to escape with only a yellow card after dragging down Joe Lennon as he threatened to break clear. Matthew Byron converted a free before Joe Finn replied for O'Dempsey's, but scores from Paul O'Flynn and Little left just the minimum between the sides.

The turning point arrived in the 46th minute. Tyrrell sparked the move by finding Sean O'Flynn, whose perfectly weighted pass released Cian Doyle to finish to the net and hand Courtwood the lead for the first time since Kinsella's opening score of the game.

O'Dempsey's nearly found an immediate response, only for Danny Luttrell to produce a crucial block to deny Joe Lennon. At the other end, Podge Bannon kept his side in contention with an outstanding save from Dylan Keane. Eoin Finley finally got his name on the scoresheet for O'Dempsey's, only for Kinsella to restore the gap from a free.

Courtwood then put the contest beyond doubt with a second goal. Little showed great awareness to square the ball across goal, allowing Dylan Keane the simple task of finishing to the net. Cian Doyle added another point allowing his side to stretch clear, and although Ben Coen grabbed a late consolation goal for O'Dempsey's, it proved little more than a footnote as the 2025 finalists opened their championship campaign with victory.

SCORERS:

Courtwood: Alan Kinsella 0-4 (fs), Cian Doyle 1-1, Dylan Keane 1-0, Ryan Little, Paul O'Flynn, Matthew Byron (f) and Rob Tyrrell 0-1 each.

O'Dempsey's: Barry Howlin 0-3 (1tp), Ben Coen 1-0, Fionn Holland, Eoin Finlay, Daithi Howlin, Joe Finn and Ultan Dunne (f) 0-1 each.

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

Subs: Danny Luttrell for O'Halloran (42m), Dylan Keane for Boland (42m).

O'DEMPSEY'S: Podge Bannon; Callum Ryan, Shane Nerney, Johnny Kelly; Tom Kelly, Jack Lennon, Joe Lennon; Barry Howlin, Fionn Holland; Cormac O'Hora, Tommy Kehoe, Daithi Howlin; Joe Finn, Ultan Dunne, Barry Kelly.

Subs: Jim Holland for Nerney (14m, inj), Ben Coen for T Kelly (16m blood, reversed 22m), Adam O'Leary for Ryan (ht), Ben Coen for Finn (43m), Eoin Finlay for O'Hora (48m), Robbie McNeil for T Kelly (53m), Mark O'Halloran for P O'Flynn (56m, inj).

REFEREE: Mick Tarpey (Kilcavan)