Kildare champions will provide serious opposition for Portarlington

It is a long while since Kildare and Laois clashed in a Leinster club football semi-final or decider. While Portarlington have become regulars in the past number of years, Athy are making a welcome return.

In 2017 Moorefield beat Portlaoise by a single point. A year later Portlaoise got revenge, also by a single point.

Athy travelled to Echelon Park, Aughrim to make their return to the province. They travelled full of confidence. In the Kildare county final they had caused a huge upset, inflicting defeat on a powerful Naas team going in search of five successive titles.

Their opponents in Aughrim were the powerful Wicklow champions, Baltinglass. Ronan Kelly pounced for a goal and at half time Athy led by 1-7 to 0-6. The same player added a second goal early in the new half. James McGrath also blasted past the Baltinglass keeper and after that Athy took complete control running out winners by 3-16 to 0-10.

The same weekend Portarlington set out on their fifth provincial campaign in six years. Carlow was the venue, where they were beaten twelve months ago. Old Leighlin were back in a Leinster campaign for the first time since 2003.

Portarlington coasted past them and at full time the Laois champions were comfortable winners on a scoreline of 1-12 to 0-6, Rioghan Murphy top scoring with 1-2.

Next up for the Kildare champions was a home venue when their opponents were the recently crowned Meath champions, Summerhill, once the King pins of the Royal County. Home venue did not seem to matter in the opening half when Summerhill looked the stronger side. Athy struggled to find the form that saw they brush Baltinglass aside. At half time the scoreboard read 1-6 to 0-8.

Athy were a transformed team when they returned for the second half, then a superb point by followed by an equally superb goal by Brian Maher changed the whole pattern of play. Summerhill then lost the services of Eoghan Frayne through injury. The second half was all about defending. Athy were excellent and conceded just one single point while their attack managed ten great points and the full time score was Athy 1-16 Summerhill 0-9. Long before the final whistle they were already looking forward to a home venue against the Laois title holders.

The following day Portarlington made their second journey outside the county, this time the venue was Drogheda.

Naomh Mairtin were newcomers to this competition and settled well kicking a pair of early points from an attack led by All Star Sam Mulroy. Portarlington responded with like scores from Rioghan Murphy and star of the attack Darragh Galvin.

Portarlington had been forced to line out without Jordan Fitzpatrick who was an important figure in getting the maroon side this far.

The opening quarter was kick for kick and the hosts looked comfortable as the replied each time the Laois champions edged in front. The second quarter was different. Pat Roe made changes and the Laois champions landed five unanswered points to lead 0-9 to 0-4 at the interval.

The Louth champions produced a great third quarter that wiped out the Portarlington lead. However they found a Portarlington side determined that they were not leaving without victory.

The Laois champions raised their game another decibel kicking excellent points. Even without scoring a goal, Portarlington were worthy winners and deserving of a place in the provincial semi-final.

They watched Athy on Saturday evening and realise what lies ahead. The Kildare champions may be new to this competition but if they reproduce the form of two earlier games they will push Pat Roe and Portarlington all the way.

The other semi-final in Tullamore sees the home side challenge the Dublin champions Ballyboden St Enda’s, coincidentally the latter the only semi-finalists to win the title.

Ten years ago at the Tullamore venue Ballyboden defeated Portlaoise in the decider, 2-09 to 1-11 in a dramatic finish.