Killeshin see off Portarlington to advance to U/20 final

Laois Shopping Centre U/20 Football Championship s/f 

Killeshin 1-15 

Portarlington 0-14 

KILLESHIN have advanced to the Laois U/20 football final after beating Portarlington by four points in McCann Park on Saturday afternoon. There were brilliant performances all over the pitch for Killeshin, especially from Evan English and Adam Farrell who caught the eye.

A fast start from Killeshin laid down the foundations to their victory and they were always in control in this contest. The victors came roaring out of the traps. They would hit the first six points in the space of five minutes and Portarlington looked shocked with how well the away side started.

Adam Farrell would get the first two points while Evan English landed two massive two-pointers to put Killeshin in complete control.

Hugh Connolly responded for Portarlington as they looked to try and get back into this semi-final.

However, Killeshin weren't letting up and grabbed another two quick points in the eighth minute from Jack Milton and English, but that was to be their last score until the 22nd minute.

Portarlington started their fightback and to their credit they would get the next four points to gain a foothold in the game. Sean Michael Ward, Hugo Emerson and Corey Lyons (2) all split the posts to reduce the gap to three at 0-8 to 0-5.

But no sooner had they got back into the game than disaster soon struck. When Killeshin moved the ball quickly up the field in a great move it ended with Evan Askins fisting the ball into the net to undo all the hard work Portarlington did to get back into the game.

English and Rioghan Doran added two more points as Killeshin stepped on the gas once more.

Sean Michael Ward responded with two converted frees before half time, but Killeshin finished the scoring with Evan Askins getting the last point leaving his side in control at the break, 1-11 to 0-7.

Killeshin again came out of the traps fast with Evan English grabbing a free, but Portarlington were still battling with Corey Lyons adding two more points to his tally.

But Killeshin were always in control and were picking scores off when they needed them. English and Ciaran Fitzgerald added two more points for the away side.

The sides would trade points through Sean Moran for Portarlington while the impressive English added another to his name.

The home side needed goals quick to get back into the game and they very nearly had one but Sean Moran and substitute Patrick Murray were denied by Killeshin goalkeeper Ben Fitzgerald with a brilliant double save ensuring Portarlington remained goalless.

Evan English got his last point of the affair as Portarlington started to throw bodies up in the attack and they were punished for only leaving three in their half.

They finished the stronger with Moran adding his second of the contest which Sean Michael Ward hit a brilliant two-pointer, but they just fell short as Killeshin held out as deserving winners.

Killeshin now advance to play Stradbally Parish Gaels in the final.

SCORERS:

Killeshin: Evan English 0-8 (2 two-pointers, 0-2fs), Evan Askins 1-1, Adam Farrell 0-3, Jack Milton, Rioghan Doran and Ciaran Fitzgerald 0-1 each.

Portarlington: Sean Michael Ward 0-5 (1 two-pointer, 0-2fs), Corey Lyons 0-5 (0-4fs), Sean Moran 0-2, Hugh Connolly and Hugo Emerson 0-1 each.

KILLESHIN: Ben Fitzgearld; Danny Malone, Jack Brennan, Pauric Moran; Pauric Moore, Patrick Fitzgearld, Chris Fitzgearld; Michael Gaffney, Jack Milton; Evan Askins, Evan English, Adam Farrell; Rioghan Doran, Ciaran Fitzgerald, Blake Rice.

Subs: Eoin Cawley for Gaffney (36m), Killian McCutcheon for Askins (52m), Luke Kehoe for Moran (52m), Sean Barr for Doran (59m).

PORTARLINGTON: Adam O'Reilly; Cian Kelly, Jordan Downey, Conor Moran; Matthew O'Sullivan, Tom Corcoran, Hugh Connolly; Hugo Emerson, Callum Doody; Sean Michael Ward, Conor Maher, Corey Lyons; Ben McCann, Sean Bennett, Sean Moran.

Subs: Daniel Stefanov for Doody (16m), Patrick Murray for Maher (37m), Alex Dunne for McCann (50m), Lucas Coleman for Moran (55m).

Referee: Ciaran McManus (O'Dempsey's)