Whelan hits 10 as Ballyroan Abbey make winning championship start

Ballyroan Abbey 0-19 

Rosenallis 1-9 

BALLYROAN Abbey and Rosenallis got their Laois Shopping Centre Senior Football Championship campaigns underway when they met in the opening round at Laois Hire O’Moore Park on Friday evening, with both sides looking to make a positive start to the 2026 championship.

Ballyroan Abbey were deserving winners as they opened their championship campaign with an assured and composed display from start to finish. Diarmuid Whelan was the standout performer, finishing with an outstanding tally of 10 points, including four two-pointers, three of these from play and one from a free, in a superb individual display that proved decisive.

It was Ballyroan Abbey who made the brighter start, though Charlie Friel opened the scoring for Rosenallis with an early point. The response was emphatic as Ballyroan Abbey hit five unanswered scores to seize control of the contest and settle into an impressive early rhythm.

Diarmuid Whelan got them up and running when his goal effort took a deflection over the crossbar before Conaire Gee added another. A slick move involving David McEvoy then carved out a gilt-edged goal chance for Cathal Doyle, but instead of finding the net, Doyle’s effort saw the ball sail over the bar.

Whelan extended the lead further with an excellent two-point free before David McEvoy also got on the scoresheet to leave Ballyroan Abbey six points to the good.

Rosenallis were handed a lifeline when Charlie Friel was fouled inside the square. The forward saw his initial penalty saved but reacted quickest to tuck home the rebound and cut the deficit. Friel then followed up with a clever quick free, playing a one-two before splitting the posts from outside the 40-metre arc.

Jimmy Hyland also raised an orange flag with a superb two-point effort as Rosenallis suddenly found their rhythm, grew into the game and wiped out much of the deficit. Their spell of pressure showed they were still capable of causing problems, but Ballyroan Abbey’s defensive organisation helped them regain control before the interval.

Ballyroan Abbey steadied themselves through a second point from Conaire Gee before Robbie Eyres’ ambitious two-point free struck the upright, with James McWey on hand to convert the rebound. Enda McWey added the final score of the half to leave Ballyroan Abbey 0-9 to 1-5 ahead at the break.

Ballyroan Abbey resumed where they had left off after the restart as Whelan clipped over another superb two-pointer to stretch their advantage. Friel replied with a converted free for Rosenallis, but Gee continued his impressive evening by registering his third point.

Whelan was proving impossible to contain and landed another two-point effort, this one taking a bounce in front of Rosenallis goalkeeper Conor Cosgrove before sailing over the crossbar. Diarmuid Dooley responded for Rosenallis, but Ballyroan Abbey remained firmly in control as Enda McWey and Whelan, from a free, added further scores to keep the scoreboard ticking over.

Hyland kept Rosenallis battling with a point, but Whelan put the result beyond doubt when he fired over his fourth two-pointer of the evening, remarkably, three of those coming from play. Aaron McEvoy also got on the scoresheet before John O’Loughlin replied and pointed the final score of the game as Ballyroan Abbey finished strongly to secure a deserved opening-round victory.

While Rosenallis showed plenty of character in their comeback attempts, particularly during the first half when they reduced the early deficit, Ballyroan Abbey’s greater consistency and attacking efficiency ultimately separated the sides. Their ability to respond whenever Rosenallis threatened ensured they remained in control, with Whelan’s accuracy and the McWey brothers’ contributions proving central to an important first win of the championship campaign.

SCORERS:

Ballyroan Abbey: Diarmuid Whelan 0-10 (3 tps, 1 tpf, 0-1f), Conaire Gee 0-3, Enda McWey 0-2, James McWey, Enda McWey, Aaron McEvoy, Davin McEvoy, and Cathal Doyle 0-1 each.

Rosenallis: Charlie Friel 1-4 (1-0 pen, 1tp, 0-1f), Jimmy Hyland 0-3 (1tp), Diarmuid Dooley and John O’Loughlin 0-1 each.

BALLYROAN ABBEY: Robbie Eyres; Ned Fitzpatrick, Patrick Whelan, Colm Walsh; Charlie Whelan, Conor Brennan, Conaire Gee; Cathal Doyle, Shaun Murphy; Davin McEvoy, Diarmuid Whelan, Aaron McEvoy; James McWey, Killian Byrne, Enda McWey.

ROSENALLIS: Conor Cosgrove; Ruaidhri C Fennell, Paddy Keating, Barry McEvoy; Matthew Bennett, David Dooley, Fiachra C Fennell; John O’Loughlin, John Maher; Diarmuid Dooley, Jimmy Hyland, Joey Shelley; Brian Fitzpatrick, Charlie Friel, Jack Claffey.

Subs: Cathal C Fennell for John Maher (40m), Alex Marron for Diarmuid Dooley (50m).

Referee: Ciaran McManus (O’Dempsey’s)