O’Flynn believes Courtwood are ready to take the final step

COURTWOOD captain Sean O’Flynn believes his club have emphatically dispelled any suggestion that last year’s breakthrough run to the Laois Senior Football Championship final was a one-off as they prepare for another shot at glory against Portarlington on Sunday.

After reaching the county final for the first time in their history in 2025, Courtwood are back on the biggest stage once again. Standing in their way are reigning champions Portarlington, who are chasing a sixth title in seven years and a second successive three-in-a-row.

For O’Flynn, however, Courtwood’s emergence among the county’s leading clubs has been years in the making.

“This is probably my eighth, ninth or maybe even tenth year in adult football,” he said.

“My first year up, we won the Intermediate Championship and that was absolute euphoria because the club had spent 33 years at that level. But it was never our ambition to be intermediate footballers or just survive at senior level. We always believed we had players capable of competing at the top end of senior football.

“We were never content with winning a first-round game and staying safe. The intention was always to bring the club to where we are now and then go one step further. That's still the box we have to tick.” A major factor in Courtwood’s rise has been manager Mark Bates, who O’Flynn credits with creating an environment where players have taken responsibility for driving standards.

“I can't commend Mark enough,” he said.

“He's incredible as a tactician and as a person. He's managed the age profile fantastically well. He's given the players the tools to bring the club forward ourselves and we've really embraced that responsibility.

“Mark and his backroom team deserve huge credit. Everybody contributes something. There’s nobody there who is dead weight. They're all valued members of the group and they've been a massive part of where we are today.” Courtwood's progress this season has been particularly impressive given the absence of key figures such as Niall Dunne and Robbie Flynn. Dunne's knee injury was a significant setback, while Flynn, who was man of the match in last year's drawn final, has also been sidelined.

Rather than weakening the group, O’Flynn feels those losses have strengthened the collective mentality within the squad.

“Niall is arguably the best footballer in Laois and Robbie was man of the match in the county final last year,” he said.

“You don't replace players like that easily, but what it has done is create a massive sense of solidarity.

“Guys like Eddie Boland, Rohan O'Toole and Ciarán Boland have come in and stepped up brilliantly. Robbie has moved seamlessly into a management role and Niall is down at training every night, helping out, doing water, talking to players and staying involved.

“While it’s a shame not to have them on the pitch, it has motivated the rest of us to raise our standards and try to fill those gaps.” Last year's final defeat to Portarlington after a replay also left a lasting impression on the group.

“There was a lot of soul-searching after the county final,” O’Flynn admitted.

“It’s so hard to get to a final and when you lose one, it hurts. We wanted another crack at Portarlington, but wanting it isn't enough. We had to put foundations in place.

“We improved our strength and conditioning, we targeted the league and we needed younger players to come through. Tadgh Slattery has become an established senior player. Ryan Little has taken on more responsibility.

“Everyone had to drive standards. That's what we've done and we're in a really healthy place as a club.” The depth now available to Courtwood is another source of confidence. One player repeatedly highlighted by O’Flynn was Dylan Keane, whose impact from the bench has become one of the team's greatest assets.

Keane famously kicked a crucial two-point score in last year's semi-final and again played a decisive role this season, scoring a vital goal in extra-time against St Joseph’s to send Courtwood back into the county final.

“He's the best substitute in the country,” O’Flynn joked.

“The brilliant thing about Dylan is that he understands his role, but he doesn't necessarily like it. That's exactly the attitude you want.

“When he comes on, he's trying to prove a point to management, to the players and to the opposition. He has bravery, ability and unbelievable impact. Players like him are invaluable.” O’Flynn also believes Courtwood's overall squad has continued to evolve.

Danny's return has strengthened the panel, while players such as Jake Doyle and Dan Boland have developed into key contributors.

“Jake might have been considered a squad player a couple of years ago and now he's a really important member of the team,” O’Flynn said.

“Dan Boland has become an outstanding full-back. We have a great pedigree of footballers coming through and that keeps standards high every night in training.” Courtwood's midfield partnership has also been central to their success. O’Flynn reserved special praise for Laois midfielder Rob Tyrrell, whose county involvement has helped elevate his game even further.

“People see how physically imposing Rob is, but he's much more than that,” he said.

“His kicking ability, football intelligence and athleticism are top class. The improvement in his fitness from being involved with Laois has been huge and he has formed a really strong partnership with Mark O'Halloran.” O’Halloran himself has enjoyed a resurgence this year after facing increased competition for places.

“Mark is in the shape of his life and the form of his life,” O’Flynn said.

“For years there wasn't much pressure for places. Now there is genuine competition throughout the squad and that's bringing the best out of everybody.” Despite Portarlington's remarkable record, Courtwood have no intention of abandoning the style of football that has carried them back to the final.

“You have to respect Portarlington because they've been the best team in Laois for years,” O’Flynn said.

“But we've got to where we are by being Courtwood.

“We'll be aware of their strengths, but we're not going to change who we are. We'll still play our own football and back ourselves.” Perhaps the biggest lesson from last year's final experience concerns handling the occasion itself. The excitement around Courtwood's first-ever senior final appearance was enormous, and O’Flynn admits it may have become a distraction.

“The support was unbelievable. The bunting, the painted cars, the atmosphere around the village, it was like Christmas.

“Maybe the build-up surrounded us a little bit too much last year. This year there's still excitement, but after the semi-final it was straight back to business.

“We're laser-focused now.” That focus will be tested against a Portarlington side renowned for its quality, intensity and championship pedigree. Yet Courtwood believe they are better prepared, stronger mentally and deeper as a squad than they were 12 months ago.

“If Portarlington turn up and play their best football, they're a very difficult team to beat,” O’Flynn said.

“We'll have to give everything we have, but we'll respect them and still play our own game.

“It should be blow for blow and hopefully we're the team standing at the end with the trophy.”