Majestic McCormack stars as Portlaoise capture U/13 crown

Midlands Park Hotel U/13 Football ‘A’ Final 

Portlaoise 4-14 

Na Fianna Óg 5-7 

PORTLAOISE were crowned the Midlands Park Hotel U/13 ‘A’ football champions after overcoming Na Fianna Óg in a thrilling contest in Laois Hire O'Moore Park on Saturday morning.

Ben McCormack put in an absolute stunning display from start to finish to lead Portlaoise to the title.

Portlaoise looked like they were home and dry on multiple occasions in this game, but they survived a late onslaught from Na Fianna Óg to get over the line by four points in the game.

As well as McCormack having a performance to remember, Danny Kerry pulled off a string of fine saves throughout the game and Portlaoise were not to be denied.

Portlaoise came out of the blocks fast with a Mikkus Simmons point and they would then hit the first goal of the game.

Ben McCormack finished brilliantly to give his side an early lead. They didn't stop there Sam Brown added another from play, while McCormack then added a free and it looked like the game was already getting away from Na Fianna Óg.

They did respond through an Eoin McDonald which was muchly needed to settle his side into the contest.

McCormack then turned on the style kicking two two-pointers in a row to give his side a nine-point lead 1-7 to 0-1.

To Na Fianna Óg's credit they fought hard and would hit the next three scores including a goal from Oisin Kerrigan along with two frees from McDonald.

Disaster soon struck for Na Fianna Óg just before the break, McCormack got his third two pointer of the half and then would strike his second goal in the space of 30 seconds with a brilliant finish to send the teams in at the break 2-9 to 1-3 to Portlaoise.

Na Fianna Óg needed a fast start to the half to get back into the game, but it didn't come as Lorcan McBride got in on the act as he fired over a point and then got Portlaoise' third goal of the game and the game was over as contest.

Kerrigan got his side's first score of the half, but McCormack replied with a free. Na Fianna Óg started to run at Portlaoise, and they had some much joy.

They got two goals in the space of a few minutes through Conor Moore and Eoin McDonald. They could have had more goals, but Danny Kerry was in inspired form and made multiple saves to stop the Na Fianna Óg charge.

Ned Fox then settled Portlaoise once again with a well taken goal after a brilliant pass from McCormack which extinguished the Na Fianna Óg hope.

Luke McDonald added a free before Fitzpatrick added a two pointer to his total. It was all Na Fianna Óg at this stage as they were hunting for more goals.

The two McDonald's got further points as Na Fianna Óg threw everything at Portlaoise. McCormack would add a free with five minutes to go and it would be their last score.

Na Fianna Óg then struck for two more goals through Charlie Conway and Luke McDonald to bring reduce the gap to four with the scores at 4-14 to 5-7.

Time was against Na Fianna Óg as Portlaoise held out for victory in a pulsating battle.

SCORERS:

Portlaoise: Ben McCormack 2-9 (3 two-pointers, 0-2fs), Lorcan McBride 1-3 (1 two-pointer), Ned Fox 1-0, Sam Brown, Mikkus Simmons 0-1 each.

The Na Fianna Óg: Eoin McDonald 1-4 (0-3fs), Luke McDonald 1-2, Oisin Kerrigan 1-1, Conor Moore, Charlie Conway 1-0 each.

PORTLAOISE: Danny Kerry; Lennon Brown, Tom Priede, Harry Marum; Ronan O'Gorman, Tadgh Bohan, Noah Clear; Ned Fox, Mikkus Simmons; Paudi Fox, Tyler Whelan, Zac Bowe; Ben McCormack, Lorcan McBride, Sam Brown.

Sub: Kian French for Bowe (31m).

NA FIANNA Óg: Killian Boyle; Dara Morgan, Fionn Kelly, Cathal Leigh; Sam McElroy Norman, Jason Gruffery, Jack Donnelly; Oisin Maguire, Charlie Conway; John Conway, Eoin McDonald, Conor Moore; Fionn Campbell, Oisin Kerrigan, Luke McDonald.

Subs: Shane Kealy for Leigh (48m), Ben Brown for Campbell (48m).

Referee: Brian Moss (The Rock)