Portlaoise Ladies continue their quest for second successive Senior championship
Portlaoise are poised to defend their Senior Championship title after a hard-fought victory over Timahoe in the semi-final showdown held at Rathleague on a dull Saturday evening.
Persistent rain throughout the week had left the playing conditions challenging, with muddy and slippery terrain. However, once the referee, Ciaran Groome from Offaly, blew the whistle to start the match, the weather showed mercy, and both wind and rain stayed away.
PORTLAOISE 1-11
TIMAHOE 0-7
Portlaoise have emerged as a relatively new but formidable force in ladies football. This year marks their sixth Senior final since their first appearance in 2016.
On the other hand, Timahoe, once a powerhouse in Laois football, haven’t tasted championship glory since 2012. They have endured five losses in the final over the past decade.
As for the match itself, Timahoe initially had the upper hand, holding Portlaoise scoreless for the first 15 minutes. Despite their strong start, Timahoe managed only one point due to several wayward attempts.
Portlaoise weathered the early onslaught and began finding their rhythm midway through the first half. The standout performances of Grainne Moran and Alison Taylor, who contributed five points from play in the first half, were crucial for Stephen Duff's team.
Portlaoise took a three-point lead in the first half, but Timahoe fought back before halftime, narrowing the gap to just one point. The second half was all Portlaoise as they outscored their opponents with a tally of 1-5 to 0-2. Timahoe found themselves down to 14 players when Aisling Quigley received a sin bin midway through the half. A goal from Leah Loughman further solidified Portlaoise's lead.
In the opening stages, Timahoe initially led with a trademark effort from Mo Nerney off her left. However, a series of missed opportunities in the form of poor wides would come back to haunt them.
Alison Taylor opened Portlaoise's scoring with a powerful run through the middle. Katie Donoghue replied with an outstanding score after selling two dummies in quick succession and slotting coolly over.
That proved to be Timahoe's last score for the next 15 minutes, allowing Portlaoise to battle their way back into contention. Grainne Moran initiated a run of four unanswered points with a dazzling score following a speedy run inside. Taylor added to the tally with another well-placed shot after executing a tidy dummy. Taylor's contribution continued, and she set up Fiona Dooley for another point, giving Portlaoise a three-point lead.
Grainne Dunne finally scored for Timahoe after ten scoreless minutes, completing well-executed team move. However, Moran responded quickly for Portlaoise. Nerney added two more points for Timahoe just before half-time, reducing the deficit to a single point. Timahoe might have been disappointed to trail after a strong start to the game.
Nerney started the scoring in the second half with a free, but Timahoe would struggle to find the target for the next 30 minutes.
Portlaoise took full control as Leah Loughman contributed with two successful frees, and Moran added another from the opposite side.Moran and Taylor combined brilliantly on the 45 before Moran notched her fourth point as Portlaoise’s lead continued to increase.
Timahoe's chances took a hit when Aisling Quigley received a sin bin, reducing them to 14 players for 10 minutes. Portlaoise sealed the game when Molly McNulty's high-pressure play in the forward line won possession, and Leah Loughman netted a goal.
Ellen Healy and Nerney exchanged scores towards the end of the game, but there was no doubt about the victors, with Portlaoise securing their spot in yet another final to play the same opposition in St Conleth's.