Portlaoise secure Intermediate survival as Arles Kilcruise are relegated

Portlaoise 3-10 

Arles Kilcruise 0-6 

PORTLAOISE dominated from the very start, producing a commanding performance to comfortably defeat Arles Kilcruise in Friday evening’s intermediate relegation playoff at Stradbally. They raced into an early lead and never allowed Arles Kilcruise to settle, with two first-half goals helping Portlaoise establish a 2-5 to 0-3 advantage at half-time.

The dominance continued after the break as Portlaoise added a third goal and further points, while Arles Kilcruise struggled to create any real momentum. A comprehensive victory sees Portlaoise retain their intermediate status, while Arles Kilcruise are relegated to the junior grade.

Arles Kilcruise opened the scoring through a Francis Egan free, but Portlaoise quickly settled into the game. Aaron McCormack registered their first point before Conor Boyle found Gareth Dillon, who set up Jason Maher to finish to the net.

David Conway responded with a point for Arles Kilcruise, but Portlaoise continued to dominate. Gary Saunders and Trevor Swayne added points, while Conway scored his second for Arles Kilcruise.

Portlaoise then struck for their second goal. Finn Dawson found Oisin Fitzpatrick, who in turn set up McCormack, and the Portlaoise forward palmed the ball to the net. Dawson added two points before half-time, one from a placed ball to leave Portlaoise comfortably ahead at the interval, 2-5 to 0-3.

Portlaoise continued their dominance after the restart. Ben Brennan and Maher added points, with Maher scoring after a dummy solo, before Dawson found the net for Portlaoise’s third goal.

McCormack added another point before Conway converted a free in the 42nd minute to register Arles Kilcruise’s first score of the second half.

Dawson then added another point after his initial effort fell into the hands of the Arles Kilcruise goalkeeper, but the clearance came back to him. Jack Brown also got on the scoresheet for Portlaoise when he pointed their final score of the match.

Arles Kilcruise’s final score came from Ben Slattery, who registered a two-point free, but it was little consolation as Portlaoise ran out comprehensive winners.

Portlaoise’s ability to impose themselves early on proved crucial, with their intensity, attacking movement and efficiency in front of goal giving Arles Kilcruise very little opportunity to build any sustained pressure. Every time Arles Kilcruise looked to respond, Portlaoise had an answer, maintaining their advantage through a combination of strong defending and purposeful attacking play.

The final whistle confirmed a 3-10 to 0-6 victory for Portlaoise, ensuring their intermediate status for another season, the result will come as a major relief for Portlaoise after a difficult campaign, but the manner of the victory will give them plenty of encouragement heading into next season.

It’s hard to ignore the remarkable turnaround for Arles Kilcruise, who have gone from reaching the intermediate final last year to being relegated to the junior grade just 12 months later. Having been so close to promotion last season, Friday night’s defeat represents a hugely disappointing outcome for the club and highlights just how quickly fortunes can change in club football. Their relegation will be a bitter pill to swallow, but they will now have to regroup, learn from a difficult campaign and look to rebuild with the aim of returning to intermediate football as quickly as possible.

SCORERS:

Portlaoise: Finn Dawson 1-3 (0-1f), Aaron McCormack 1-2, Jason Maher 1-1, Gary Saunders, Trevor Swayne, Ben Brennan and Jack Brown 0-1 each.

Arles Kilcruise: David Conway 0-3 (0-1f), Ben Slattery 0-2 (tpf), and Francis Egan 0-1 free.

PORTLAOISE: Graham Brody; Jack O’Connell, Chris Finn, Sean Powders; Trevor Swayne, Gary Saunders, Oisín Fitzpatrick; Ryan Morrin, Conor Boyle; Finn Dawson, Ben Brennan, Mark O’Connor; Gareth Dillon, Aaron McCormack, Jason Maher.

Subs: Cathal Duggan for Morrin (42m), Mick O’Connell for O’Connor (47m), Jack Brown for Maher (51m), David Valinas for J O’Connell (51m), Ben O’Reilly for Fitzpatrick (54m, inj).

ARLES KILCRUISE: Jamie Coogan; Ethan Mackey, Conal Brennan, Adam George; Luke Donohue, Cialann Mulhall, Darragh Kealy; Eolann Maguire, Alan McLoughlin; Calum McElroy, Francis Egan, Conor George; Ben Slattery, David Conway, Liam Whelan.

Subs: David Lawlor for Mackey (6m, inj), Jack Behan for Whelan a(ht), Ciaran Lawlor for Kealy (ht), Fionn Gallagher for McElroy (61m), Jordan Donohue for L Donohue (61m).

Referee: Brendan McCann (Portarlington)