Replay ordered after scoring error overshadows LGFA Junior ‘A’ final

PORTLAOISE celebrated winning the Junior ‘A’ Football Championship final against The Heath on Sunday but now both must meet again. The Laois LGFA County Board have ordered that the final replayed following the discovery of a scoring error.

Portlaoise were initially crowned champions after a dramatic 1-8 to 0-10 victory in Annanough last Sunday. The result appeared to secure both the county title and promotion to the Intermediate ranks for 2027, sparking scenes of jubilation at the final whistle.

However, concerns emerged soon afterwards regarding the accuracy of the final score.

The dispute centred on a point credited to Portlaoise midway through the second half. While the score was added to the official tally, subsequent reviews of the match footage failed to identify any corresponding score being registered on the field.

During and after the game, questions were raised about the discrepancy, but officials maintained that the scoreboard was correct. Nevertheless, further examination of video evidence could only account for a total of 1-7 for Portlaoise rather than the 1-8 recorded in the official result.

Had the score been correctly recorded, the teams would have finished level on 1-7 to 0-10, requiring extra-time to determine the destination of the championship trophy.

The Heath lodged a formal objection with Laois LGFA, prompting an investigation by the county committee. The inquiry examined the referee’s report, video footage submitted as evidence and the relevant provisions of the LGFA Official Rules 2026.

The video evidence was independently authenticated and accepted as part of the review process. Following its investigation, the committee concluded that an additional point had indeed been incorrectly awarded to Portlaoise and that the final score had been miscalculated.

Laois LGFA has since confirmed that the game is scheduled to be replayed, with Sunday 18 October in Annanough provisionally pencilled in as the new date. However, that fixture cannot be regarded as final just yet, as Portlaoise have four days to either accept the ruling or pursue an appeal through the National Appeals Committee.

The decision leaves both clubs in limbo.

For Portlaoise, the ruling means the championship victory they believed they had secured remains unresolved. For The Heath, meanwhile, it offers a second chance to contest a title that appeared to have slipped from their grasp following the narrow defeat.