SFC S/F - Four teams left but only places for two

IF the Laois hurling semi-finals have a familiar look about them, then much can be said the same of next weekend’s Senior football pairing. Still the football will be of a bigger conversation piece in the local hostelries.

Portarlington are the talk of the town since Martin Murphy made the short journey across the River Barrow and turned the maroon men upside, not alone in Laois but making several visits to provincial venues.

After his departure another gifted duel player, from Clonad and the Heath, Pat Rowe agreed to succeed the Gracefield man. After a slow start the boys showed a return to the hunger they showed under Murphy when last year another title was celebrated although they were caught out by a little known Carlow side, in the provincial campaign.

Several Portarlington players like to travel in the early months but as the swallows depart the Barrow all the big names dribble back and looking sharp.

As the draw was being made after the quarters, nobody wants the reigning champions. This year was no different. Portarlington had the opportunity to study all However, while the Barrow border men will be confident, they will not getting carried away. Graiguecullen have a good sprinkling of old and young and a few from across the Barrow that helps. Mention age, and who would deny Mark Timmons any kind of silver. Aaron Forbes has looked sharper this year and capable of scores. Graiguecullen probably had a hard task but they are capable of getting to the last four, but it’s the next mile that gets harder.

This year there is no Portlaoise fighting for a place in the final. Maybe they were over confident after overcoming St Joseph’s in an earlier round. However the easy fences are jumped until it comes to the last four, after that it is difficult.

This is where we come to the team that have everyone talking, Courtwood. They last appeared at this stage as far back as 1976 and it was Portlaoise who halted their bid that year and the Town went on the win the Provincial Crown.

But revenge is sweet even if you have to wait 49 years for it. Now there is no Portlaoise there now because the men in all white, who were wearing black on the day, swept them to one side in the quarter-final.

From the throw in Courtwood took control. Having watched the two do battle in the league earlier in the year it was no great surprise and Courtwood had learned a lot.

Courtwood will be delighted to be underdogs when they come up against St Joseph’s. A few years ago the Lily Whites played some great football but maybe lacked a bit of experience, now they are a more evenly balanced team, with talent on the bench.

One man could make history if the Whites progress this weekend is Robert Tyrell who lined out in the senior hurling quarter-final last Sunday with his native Camross, and is likely to line out in semi-final.

The Saints blew away Ballyfin in the opening round but suffered a one-point defeat at the hands of Portlaoise. They recovered to get the better of Emo, thanks in the main top Mich Keogh’s three goals. They were again put to the pin of their collar when seeing off Ballyroan Abbey in the quarter final with just two points to spare.

But given their experience gained over the past few years it is hard to see them being caught out by Courtwood.