Murphy penalty proves key as Portarlington make it two in a row

Laois Shopping Centre Senior Football Championship Final (Replay) 

Portarlington 1-7 

Courtwood 0-7 

PORTARLINGTON have once again asserted their dominance over Laois football, claiming their fifth Senior Football Championship title in six years after edging out Courtwood in a tense replay at Laois Hire O’Moore Park on Saturday evening.

A crucial second-half penalty from Colm Murphy proved to be the decisive moment, sealing another chapter of success for Portarlington as they lifted the Jack Delaney Cup in front of a packed crowd. Despite their valiant effort, Courtwood were left to rue missed opportunities and a lack of scoring from open play as all seven of their points came from placed balls, six for goalkeeper Matthew Byron and one from Rory Doyle.

The anticipation for the replay was evident long before throw-in, with large queues forming outside the stadium gates. Kick-off was delayed by ten minutes to accommodate the swell of supporters eager to witness who would emerge as the 2025 Laois Shopping Centre Senior Football champions after the sides had drawn in their first encounter two weeks earlier.

Conditions in Portlaoise did little to favour attacking football. A persistent breeze and slick surface made handling difficult, and both teams struggled to find rhythm. Misplaced passes and fumbled hops were common as players battled not only each other but also the elements. The strong wind blew towards the Abbeyleix End, straight into the face of Portarlington goalkeeper Luke O’Reilly, giving Courtwood an early advantage in the first half.

As they had done in the drawn match, Courtwood started brightly, dictating the tempo and racing into a four-point lead. Within a minute of the throw-in, Byron came forward from his goal to slot over the opening free after Alan Kinsella was fouled. The reliable custodian was in top form, converting two more frees before the interval, both awarded after fouls on the lively Ryan Little. His second foul came after an impressive turnover when Courtwood pressed high and dispossessed Portarlington as they tried to work the ball out from defence.

Portarlington, meanwhile, struggled to find their usual fluency but finally got on the board after eight minutes thanks to an excellent long-range effort from midfielder Sean Byrne, who curled the ball over from outside the arc. Mark Bates’ Courtwood side continued to frustrate their more experienced opponents for much of the opening half, forcing them into speculative efforts that were either gathered easily by Byron or drifted harmlessly wide.

The champions gradually settled, however. When Darragh Galvin was brought down after 23 minutes, Colm Murphy converted the resulting free to close the gap. Rioghan Murphy was increasingly influential for Portarlington as the half wore on, orchestrating their attacks and linking play superbly.

Paddy O’Sullivan then managed to shake off the close marking of Collins Ugochukwu and fire over a point that brought the teams level at four apiece heading into half-time. With the wind now at their backs for the second period, Portarlington looked poised to take control.

The first score after the restart arrived in the 36th minute, and it was again that man, Byron, who extended Courtwood’s tally to five. But Portarlington soon responded through Rioghan Murphy, who split the posts with a fine point. Byron added yet another free to bring his personal total to six points, maintaining Courtwood’s slender advantage heading towards the final quarter.

Then came the game’s turning point. After turning his marker Dan Boland inside out, Colm Murphy was tugged back as he shaped to shoot, which saw referee Maurice Deegan award Pat Roe’s side a penalty. Murphy took responsibility himself, sending Byron the wrong way from the spot to hand Portarlington the lead for the first time in the match with 15 minutes remaining.

Courtwood’s response was nearly immediate. A clever pass from veteran Niall Donoher released Niall Dunne through on goal, but Luke O’Reilly produced a vital save with his outstretched right leg to preserve Portarlington’s lead. That stop proved pivotal, as moments later Jake Foster converted a free and O’Sullivan landed his second point of the evening, much to the delight of the vocal Portarlington supporters who celebrated wildly in the stands.

Substitute Rory Doyle reduced the deficit with a late free for Courtwood, but their hopes of forcing extra-time faded as they failed to create the goal chance they so desperately needed in the closing minutes.

When the final whistle sounded, Portarlington’s players and fans erupted in celebration, their remarkable run of success continuing with a fifth county crown in six seasons.

Portarlington won’t have long to bask in their triumph, however. Their focus now turns to the provincial stage, where they will represent Laois in the AIB Leinster Club Senior Football Championship. They are set to face Carlow champions Old Leighlin next Saturday evening at 6.15pm in Netwatch Cullen Park.

SCORERS:

Portarlington: Colm Murphy 1-1 (1-0 pen, 0-1f), Sean Byrne (1 two-pointer) and Paddy O'Sullivan 0-2 each, Jake Foster (f) and Rioghan Murphy 0-1 each.

Courtwood: Matthew Byron 0-6 (1 two-point free, 0-4fs), Rory Doyle 0-1 (f).

PORTARLINGTON: Luke O’Reilly; Mikey Bennett, Robbie Pigott, Diarmuid Bennett; Alex Mohan, Jason Moore, Patrick O’Sullivan; Keith Bracken, Sean Byrne; Darragh Slevin, Ronan Coffey, Rioghan Murphy; Colm Murphy, Darragh Galvin, Jake Foster.

Subs: Curtis Lyons for D Bennett (41m), Jordan Fitzpatrick for Slevin (46m), Eoin McCann for Bracken (50m).

COURTWOOD: Matthew Byron; Collins Ugochukwu, Daniel Boland, Adam O’Halloran; Jake Doyle, Robbie Flynn, Eoghan Slattery; Sean O’Flynn, Robert Tyrell; Niall Dunne, Cian Doyle, Paul O’Flynn; Niall Donoher, Ryan Little, Alan Kinsella.

Subs: Mark O'Halloran for P O'Flynn (ht), Michael Doyle for J Doyle (51m), Dylan Keane for Little (51m), Rory Doyle for Flynn (58m).

Referee: Maurice Deegan (Stradbally)