Maher goals prove decisive as Portarlington claim title
Portarlington players celebrate their win Photo: Denis Byrne
TWO goals from Conor Maher at either side of half-time proved the turning points as Portarlington saw off a spirited Castletown challenge to claim the Laois Shopping Centre JFC ‘B title in The LOETB Centre of Excellence on Wednesday night.
Portarlington looked to be cruising after Maher’s second goal put nine points between the sides early in the second half, but Castletown battled back to within four before Evan Lyons stepped up with three late scores to seal a deserved seven-point win.
Tom Og Phelan got the scoring underway to give Castletown an early lead, but Portarlington quickly settled and would kick three points in a row to put them into a lead they never relinquished.
PJ Ward equalised while the brilliant Evan Lyons hit a brace to give Portarlington the lead of 0-3 to 0-1 in the early stages of the half.
Ryan Mullaney responded for Castletown with his first point of the game, but Portarlington hit three more points in a row and were getting scores much easier than their opponents.
This time Lucas Coleman, Jordan Fallon (free) and Corey Lyons were all on target as Portarlington increased their lead.
Mullaney and Ben McCann then traded points before Castletown were denied a goal after a brilliant block from Dylan Murphy after a Conor Phelan shot, but the danger wasn't cleared as Ryan Mullaney picked up to the loose ball and unleashed a shot that cannoned off the crossbar and was cleared.
Portarlington then got the next score through Cathal Ward as they remained in control of the game. Mullaney was then denied again through a brilliant save from Adam O'Reilly which proved crucial.
Castletown then got control for a period and kicked over three points through Mullaney, Daniel Whelan and Conor Whelan to leave the scores at 0-8 to 0-6 with half time closing.
The victors finished the half with a bang with Jordan Fallon grabbing a brace of points, before a well worked team move ended with Conor Maher finishing it to the net to give Portarlington breathing space coming up to half time.
Jack Breen would get the last score of the half as the scores were 1-10 to 0-7 to Portarlington at half time.
Disaster struck for Castletown straight after half time as Conor Maher would get his second goal of the game to put nine points between the teams and it looked like it was over even that early in the half.
But Castletown hit back straight away through a well taken goal from James Mullaney who lobbed Adam O'Reilly who tried to close Mullaney down to bring them right back into the game.
Both teams then traded points through a Conor Maher 45, while Ryan Mullaney kept Castletown in the game with another free.
Jack Whelan would increase the lead once again for Portarlington with a well taken point to further the game to seven points as the game was going down the final stretch.
Castletown would hit their second goal of the game through Gearoid Gaughan who got on the end of a Ryan Mullaney shot to flick it to the back of the net with a deft flick from his boot.
It was game on now, but Portarlington showed their class in the final moments of the game as they kept possession and would kick the final three points from Evan Lyons to be crowned champions.
Portarlington: Conor Maher 2-1 (0-1 45), Evan Lyons 0-5 (0-3fs), Jordan Fallon 0-3 (0-2fs), PJ Ward, Lucas Coleman, Corey Lyons, Ben McCann, Cathal Ward and Jack Whelan 0-1 each.
Castletown: Ryan Mullaney 0-4 (0-2fs), James Mullaney and Gearoid Gaughan 1-0 each, Tom Og Phelan, Daniel Whelan, Conor Phelan and Jack Breen 0-1 each.
Adam O’Reilly; Jack Murphy, Dylan Murphy, Conor McCarthy; Matthew O’Sullivan, Graham Weldon, Lucas Coleman; Jordan Fallon, Corey Lyons; Cathal Ward, Evan Lyons, Jack Whelan; Benny McCann, PJ Ward, Conor Maher.
Subs: Stephen O'Neil for Maher (43m), Cathal Ryan for D Murphy (56m), Sean Higgins for McCarthy (60m).
Matthew Peters; Martin Reddin, Evan Cuddy, John Caughan; Daniel Whelan, Conor Walsh, Jack Breen; Tom Og Phelan, Shane Phelan; Conor Phelan, Ryan Mullaney, Tadgh Cuddy; Joe Phelan, James Mullaney, Aaron Gaughan.
Subs: Gearoid Gaughan for Caughan (38.) Callum Peters for Whelan (53m).
Eugene Dowdall (Ballylinan).
