Portlaoise crowned champions after one-point final thriller
The Portlaoise team which was crowned LOETB LGFA Junior 'A' champions after getting the better of The Heath on Sunday Photo: David Maher
PORTLAOISE secured the LOETB Laois LGFA Junior ‘A’ title after a thrilling one-point victory over The Heath at Annanough GAA on Sunday afternoon, earning promotion to the intermediate ranks for 2027. Having suffered defeat in last year’s final, Portlaoise returned determined to go one step further this time around and came through another closely fought decider.
Portlaoise had the first sight of goal inside the opening 30 seconds when Sinead O’Brien got through on goal, but The Heath goalkeeper Ceola Hayes was equal to the effort, producing an early save to keep Portlaoise out.
Portlaoise did open the scoring soon afterwards, with Anna Mulligan converting a free. The Heath responded through Affric Hennessy, also from a placed ball, before Mulligan restored Portlaoise’s lead with another score.
Hennessy was accurate from frees all year and she levelled the game again, before The Heath moved in front for the first time. Aishling Fitzpatrick and Lucy Browne both raised white flags from the Portlaoise kickouts as The Heath began to settle.
Hennessy added another free to extend The Heath’s advantage, but Portlaoise remained dangerous going forward. O’Brien produced a superb score to reduce the deficit before The Heath responded with a point from Cliona O’Flanagan.
Lisa Keane then added another for The Heath as they looked to maintain their grip on the contest, while Portlaoise continued to create opportunities. Shauna Dooley was denied by Hayes, who made another important save to prevent Portlaoise from finding the net.
However, Portlaoise finally got their goal just before half-time. Chloe Norton delivered a dangerous cross-goal kick towards Dooley, who got a hand to the ball and palmed it into the net to give Portlaoise a crucial goal going into the interval.
There was still time for another chance before the break when Dooley got a shot away, but Hayes again came to The Heath’s rescue with an excellent save. The Heath went into half-time with a narrow advantage, leading 0-7 to 1-3, leaving Portlaoise with work to do in the second half.
Portlaoise responded immediately after the restart, with Mulligan converting a free to level the contest. The influential forward then struck again from a placed ball to put Portlaoise ahead for the first time since the early stages.
The Heath had an opportunity to respond when Emily Dowling got a shot away, but Portlaoise goalkeeper Kate Scully Maher produced a superb save to preserve her side’s lead.
Mulligan continued to have a major influence on the game and added two more points as Portlaoise began to create some daylight between the teams. Kirsten Keenan also got on the scoresheet as Portlaoise moved into a five-point lead.
The Heath, however, refused to let the game slip away. Ellie Keane reduced the deficit before Laura Whelan and Lisa Keane both found the target, bringing The Heath right back into contention and setting up a tense finale.
With only a point between the sides, The Heath pushed forward in search of an equaliser, but Portlaoise defended resolutely and managed the closing stages well.
The final whistle confirmed a victory for Portlaoise, securing the Junior A title and, most importantly, promotion to the intermediate grade for 2027. After last year’s disappointment, Portlaoise stepped up when it mattered most, finishing the job in another fiercely contested county final.
Portlaoise: Anna Milligan 0-6 (0-3fs), Shauna Dooley 1-0, Kirsten Keenan and Sinead O’Brien 0-1 each.
The Heath: Affric Hennessy (0-3fs), Lisa Keane 0-2, Lucy Browne, Cliona O’Flanagan, Aishling Fitzpatrick, Laura Whelan, and Ellie Keane 0-1 each.
Kate Scully Maher; Jessie Saunders, Emma Dunne, Sarah Phelan; Faye Byrne, Rebecca Keane, Abbey Louise Byrne; Jasmine Burke, Laura Nerney; Kirsten Keenan, Sinead O’Brien, Leah Brennan; Anna Mulligan, Shauna Dooley, Chloe Norton.
Subs: Molly Jane Dempsey for O’Brien (28m, inj), Kara Phelan for F. Byrne (ht), Kara Powders for A. Byrne (ht), Alix Culleton for Norton (54m).
Ceola Hayes; Chloe Conroy, Eva Booth, Rosa Conroy; Aoibhin Phelan, Anna Lalor, Laura Whelan; Lisa Keane, Aishling Fitzpatrick; Cliona O’Flanagan, Afric Hennessy, Katie Grant; Heidi Browne, Emily Dowling, Lucy Browne.
Subs: Nacola Nerney for H. Browne (41m), Alanna Rigney for C. Conroy (42m), Ella Beere for Dowling (48m), Ellie Keane for Grant (53m), and Kate Maloney for R. Conroy (64m).
Johnny Brennan (St Joseph’s)
