Portarlington claim sixth title in seven years with emphatic win over Courtwood
The Jack Delaney Cup is raised by the Portarlington captain Paddy O'Sullivan after they captured the Laois senior football title seeing off the Courtwood challenge at Laois Hire O'Moore Park on Sunday Photo: Denis Byrne
PORTARLINGTON secured their sixth Laois Shopping Centre Senior Football Championship title in seven years with a commanding 14-point victory over Courtwood in the final, as they ran out 1-19 to 0-8 winners.
The final was a repeat of the 2025 decider, when a replay was required to separate the sides before Portarlington ultimately came out on top. This time, however, there was no need for a second meeting, as Portarlington pulled away in the second half to underline their dominance.
Courtwood enjoyed the aid of the wind in the opening half and made a bright start, with Alan Kinsella raising the first white flag inside the opening minute with a two-pointer. Colm Murphy got Portarlington off the mark before Cian Doyle restored Courtwood’s advantage, finishing after Rob Tyrrell played him in with a superb ball.
Dan Boland then produced an important interception, cutting out Colm Murphy’s ball across goal with Jordan Fitzpatrick waiting for the delivery. Portarlington responded through Rioghan Murphy, who added a free to his earlier effort, while Kinsella converted a free at the other end.
Portarlington threatened a goal when Alex Mohan played in Curtis Lyons, but Matthew Byron produced a superb save to deny him. Ryan Little followed with an excellent point for Courtwood, before Jason Moore replied for Portarlington. Byron was again called into action, making an incredible save from a Curtis Lyons effort, although the ball went over the bar.
The sides went in level at half-time, with the scoreboard reading 0-5 apiece, leaving everything to play for in the second half.
Portarlington began to take control after the restart. Colm Murphy had a potential goal opportunity but was closed down by Niall Donoher and Byron, before Byron again came to Courtwood’s rescue to deny Mohan. Jordan Fitzpatrick gathered the loose ball from that attack to put Portarlington ahead for the first time in the game.
Byron kept Courtwood in touch with a point of his own before converting a two-point free to put his side back in front. However, Fitzpatrick responded with a two-pointer for Portarlington, and the reigning champions soon found another gear.
Sean Byrne set up Colm Murphy for Portarlington’s goal, a crucial score that swung the contest firmly in their favour. Murphy added another point before Rioghan Murphy landed a two-pointer to stretch the gap further.
Daragh Galvin made an immediate impact after coming off the bench, adding another point as Portarlington continued to pull away. Colm Murphy then struck a two-pointer to put 10 points between the sides, leaving the champions firmly in control.
Ronan Coffey added a fist-passed point before Sean Michael Corcoran also got on the scoresheet. Coffey then had the final say, kicking a two-pointer to bring the scoring to a close and seal an emphatic 14-point victory.
Portarlington’s second-half scoring burst proved decisive, as they turned a tightly contested first half into a convincing final triumph, securing their sixth title in seven years.
Portarlington: Colm Murphy 1-5 (1tp), Rioghan Murphy 0-4 (1tp, 0-1f), Ronan Coffey (1tp) and Jordan Fitzpatrick (1tp) 0-3 each, Jason Moore, Curtis Lyons, and Daragh Galvin 0-1 each.
Courtwood: Matthew Byron (1tpf, 0-1f) and Alan Kinsella (1tp, 0-1f) 0-3 each, Ryan Little and Cian Doyle 0-1 each.
Evan Grattan; Alex Mohan, Tom Corcoran, Cathal Bennett; Curtis Lyons, Robbie Piggott, Jason Moore; Keith Bracken, Sean Byrne; Paddy O’Sullivan, Rioghan Murphy, Hugh Connolly; Jordan Fitzpatrick, Ronan Coffey, Colm Murphy.
Subs: Darragh Slevin for Connolly (ht), Daragh Galvin for Moore (49m), Eoin McCann for Bracken (54m), Sean Michael Corcoran for Fitzpatrick (57m), Hugo Emerson for Lyons (57m).
Matthew Byron; Collins Ugochukwu, Dan Boland, Adam O'Halloran; Jake Doyle, Sean O'Flynn, Eoghan Slattery; Mark O'Halloran, Rob Tyrrell; Darragh McEvoy, Alan Kinsella, Tadhg Slattery; Cian Doyle, Ryan Little, Niall Donoher.
Subs: Eddie Boland for E Slattery (43m), Dylan Keane for T Slattery (47m), Paul O’Flynn for Ugochukwu (51m), Danny Luttrell for C Doyle (55m, inj)
Des Cooney (St Joseph’s)
