The Portlaoise goal rush swamps the Saints
Portlaoise's Emmett Maloney turning in possession in their SFC quarter-final against St Joseph's on Saturday Photo: Denis Byrne
SFC q/f
Portlaoise 5-15
St Joseph’s 0-15
For the second time in this year’s campaign Portlaoise have hit the net on five occasions. On Saturday when they galloped on to the Laois Hire O’Moore Park pitch it was obvious they were on a mission and the reigning champions were not fully prepared.
The most recent meeting between the aristocrats was last year’s county final when the Kellyville outfit just about edged on a 0-7 to 0-6 scoreline, one of the lowest scoring county final may could remember. That occasion scores were not plentiful but the nine-in-a-row champions know how to move through the gears, and boy did they do that on Saturday.
Benny Carroll and Paul Cahillane posted two early points from play while newcomer Josh Hogan has learned the trade and kicked over number three in the sixth minute.
Eoghan Flaherty opened the champions’ account from a free and when points were traded it looked as if a close battle was unfolding. Eoghan Flaherty and Matty Campion found the target for the Ballyadams men. Kieran Lillis and Eoghan Flaherty then pointed to leave the teams evenly sharing eight points.
The rejuvenated Benny Carroll edged Portlaoise back in front but Brian Daly saw the teams level again and after another exchange the great rivals were on level terms with minutes on the clock.
There had been a cloud burst before proceedings but another was unfolding on the ground.
Portlaoise midfielder Damon Larkin delivered a perfect free into the goalmouth where Kieran Lillis rose highest and punched the ball past the champions keeper, Enda Butler. Paul Cahillane made it four between the sides after 24 minutes.
Portlaoise were moving faster and slicker now and kicked three more points before Dan Hickey and Eoghan Flaherty kept St Joseph’s in touch. Apart from the football, a few exchanges occurred under the stand and as the players headed to the tunnel there was further exchanges between mentors.
Portlaoise replaced Chris Finn at the interval and on came Conor Dunphy. Points were traded in the opening minutes and points from Oisin Hooney and Eoghan Flaherty left three points separating the teams. Portlaoise then swept down the left wing and Josh Hogan found himself in great space. He was not going to miss from close range now the board read 2-13 to 0-12.
After points were traded between Eoghan O’Flaherty and Paul Cahillane, the difference was six points and the clock said 58 minutes. The champions were tiring but still hanging in. Then Benny Carroll found space and he hammered past Enda Butler for Portlaoise’s third and the Saints must have realised the game was up, although they didn’t surrender easily.
Long serving Dylan Doyle came on and kicked a point but that was only a consolation. Portlaoise had no intention of slowing down. Midfielder Damon Larkin got through for goal number four as Portlaoise supporters roared their approval. Paul Cahillane converted a free, point number 15.
There would be one more raid from Portlaoise and, who else but the man who started the goal rush, Kieran Lillis, found the net from close range.
No high fives but a few in the score line Portlaoise 5-15 St Joseph’s 0-15. St Joseph’s gracefully accepted defeat and it was handshakes all round, but deep down the champions were hurting and why not. Deep down Portlaoise were thrilled, not because they had dethroned the champions, rather because they had wiped out the awful memories of last year’s county final.
SCORERS:
Portlaoise: Kieran Lillis 2-2, Damon Larkin and Benny Carroll 1-2 each, Josh Hogan 1-1, Paul Cahillane 0-5 (0-1f), DJ White 0-2, Conor Raggett 0-1.
St Joseph’s: Eoghan O’Flaherty 0-8 (fs), Michael Keogh 0-2, Brian Daly, Dylan Doyle, Oisin Hooney, Dan Hickey and Mattie Campion 0-1 each.
PORTLAOISE: Conor Brown; Ben Dempsey, Ben Reddin, Conor Raggett; Chris Finn, Emmett Maloney, Colin McEvoy; David Seale, Damon Larkin; Josh Hogan, Benny Carroll, Kevin Swayne; DJ White, Kieran Lillis, Paul Cahillane.
Subs: Conor Dunphy for Finn (ht), Frank Flanagan for Seale (47m).
ST JOSEPH’S: Enda Butler; Conor Kealy, Adam Campion, Aiden Brennan; Tom Dunne, Dan Hickey, James Kelly; Gearoid Lynch, Jack Lacey; Oisin Hooney, Matty Campion, Michael Keogh; Eoghan O’Flaherty, Brian Daly, Josh O’Brien.
Subs: Dylan Doyle for O’Brien (36m), Ian Shanahan for A. Campion (52m, inj).
Referee: Brendan McCann (Portarlington)
