Portlaoise claim cup glory for Laois over Offaly

Paul Cahilane on the ball for Portlaoise. Pic: Denis Byrne

placeholder image — Paul Cahilane on the ball for Portlaoise. Pic: Denis Byrne

Portlaoise AFC see off Killeigh FC

The CCFL season came to a close in Conor Davis Park, Mountmellick, on Sunday afternoon, with Portlaoise AFC taking home the Division 3 Cup at the expense of Killeigh.

Two goals apiece from Paul Cahillane and Darren Rogers, as well as an excellent defensive performance in the second half culminated in the trophy going home with Portlaoise.

It was just rewards for Martin Hilliard and Domhnall Roche's team after a turbulent season that ended with Division 3A in disarray. But they put all that behind them today and earned the right to bring silverware back to Rossleighan Park.

They almost took the lead in the first minute when Rogers got on the end of a Cahillane free, but his header could only find the upright. But it took less than five minutes for Portlaoise to open the scoring. Cahillane broke free down the left and audaciously lifted the ball over Killeigh goalkeeper, Jack Donoghue. Left back, Karl Tuile scrambled backwards but he could not keep the ball out of the net.

Killeigh were level in just the 11th minute, however, when Jamie Ballesty swept his shot into the bottom corner from edge of the box.

But Portlaoise regained the lead with the game less than 15 minutes old. Cahillane played a perfectly weighted ball to Darren Rogers, who had made a great run through the middle, and his chip over the keeper was sublime.

Killeigh were putting pressure on Portlaoise after that, but it 3-1 in the 27th minute. Cahillane won a free kick on the angle of the box and took the shot on himself, picking out the bottom far corner of Donoghue's net. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

The game was averaging a goal every six minutes when Killeigh hit the net after half an hour. Liam Langton whipped a great ball into the Portlaoise box to John McEvoy, who finished well at the back post.

Both sides looked like they might score with every attack, and Killeigh finally got the equaliser just before half time. Portlaoise failed to clear their lines, allowing John Paul Casey to fire a shot beyond Richard Downey. 3-3 at half time.

Cahillane and Rogers combined again to give Portlaoise the lead ten minutes into the second half. Cahillane beat three defenders before cutting the ball back for Rogers, who made no mistake.

Killeigh played some good football, with the heavy rain making for a very slick, fast surface. They created plenty of chances throughout the middle of the half, but the Portlaoise backline held strong.

Rogers twice went close to a hat-trick in the closing stages as Portlaoise looked to put the final to bed. There was still time for more drama, with the ball pinballing around the Portlaoise penalty box in the 93rd minute, before they eventually cleared their lines.

That was the final act of the game, allowing captain, David Hughes to get his hands on the cup after a 4-3 win. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

SCORERS - Portlaoise: Paul Cahillane (two), Darren Rogers (two). Killeigh: Jamie Ballesty, John McEvoy, John Paul Casey.

PORTLAOISE AFC: Richard Downey; Chris Dent, Mark Drennan, Murray Rogers, David Hughes; Craig Rogers, Nathan Carpenter, Kevin Sheehan, Dylan Rogers; Darren Rogers, Paul Cahillane. Subs: Ricky Maher for C. Rogers (71).

KILLEIGH FC: Jack Donoghue; Peter Norris, Glen Raferty, Rob O'Neill, Karl Tuile; Liam Langton, Ian Keating, John Paul Casey, Jason Coonan; John McEvoy, Jamie Ballesty. Subs: Mark Devery for O'Neill (71), Luke Hensey for Coonan (80)