Returning Laois contingent helps Portarlington set up Division 1 final date

Over a month ago, Ballyroan Abbey beat an under-strength Portarlington by a margin of eighteen points. Despite missing most of their county players throughout the ACFL Division 1 league campaign though, Portarlington managed to join Ballyroan Abbey in the winners section.

The two teams met again in the final round of the winners section in McCann Park on Thursday evening. This time Portarlington welcomed Alex Mohan, Paddy O’Sullivan, Robert Pigott and Colm Murphy back into the fold, and all three helped Anthony Cunningham’s men reverse last month’s result.

Portarlington 2-11

Ballyroan Abbey 2-5

This match was a slow burner. Ballyroan Abbey enjoyed plenty of the ball in the first ten minutes but failed to make anything click up top.

Rioghan Murphy opened the scoring for Portarlington with a point from a placed ball. Daragh Galvin doubled Portarlington’s advantage, as the full-forward curled over a nice point from play under pressure.

Ballyroan Abbey finally put together a move in the twelfth minute that resulted in the opening goal of the game. Wing-back Killian Byrne cut inside and picked out James McWey at the back post for the simplest of tap-ins.

Portarlington responded positively to that goal though. Paddy O’Sullivan put over a fine point to level and then Rioghan Murphy pushed Portarlington back ahead with a lovely effort off his left boot.

Portarlington’s and Laois inter-county defensive duo of Paddy O’Sullivan and Robert Pigott were instrumental to the victory. Pigott stretched Portarlington’s advantage out further after a delightful outside-of-the-boot score.

Brian Whelan grabbed Ballyroan Abbey’s first point of the evening in the twenty-ninth minute of the game. Whelan landed a free between the posts before Shane Wall’s side almost got in for a goal before half-time.

Midfielder Shaun Murphy managed to carve his way through the Portarlington rearguard. However, Murphy’s ferocious shot came back off the post and out.

Portarlington registered the final score of the half. Eoin McCann, who top-scored last week in the win over Portlaoise with 1-2, popped over the point.

The home team led 0-6 to 1-1 at the interval in McCann Park. Portarlington did play with a decent breeze behind them though, so Ballyroan Abbey wouldn’t have been too disheartened with the scoreline.

Portarlington started the second half with a fire in their belly. Whatever Anthony Cunningham said to his troops at half-time, it clearly worked a charm as they upped the intensity of the contest a gear or two.

Darragh Slevin sliced over a point upon the restart to push Portarlington three clear. Substitute Evan Lyons then added another after strong running through the middle from Eoin McCann set Lyons up for the score.

Luke O’Reilly charged up from his goals to launch over a free and after thirty-five minutes of play, Portarlington now enjoyed a five-point cushion.

While Ballyroan Abbey’s Killian Byrne fisted over a point to get them on the board for the second half, Rioghan Murphy replied for Portarlington with a converted free.

Ballyroan Abbey continued to plug away and managed to respond with the next two scores. Corner-back Conaire Gee showed his pace to get inside and fist over a point.

Brian Whelan then showed excellent footwork to fend off a few Portarlington challenges and swing another over for Ballyroan Abbey. It was just after that score that Portarlington showed their strength in depth though, as Laois Senior Colm Murphy was introduced off the bench.

Colm Murphy made an immediate impression by placing over a free and pushing Portarlington’s lead to a comfortable four points. Ballyroan Abbey were still defending in numbers, but they needed to be a bit more adventurous with their attacking play for the final quarter.

It was Portarlington who put together moves though that saw them score two goals and finish this one in style. Wing-back Paddy O’Sullivan was involved in both goals, as he scored one and set up another.

Darragh Slevin found a gap in the Ballyroan Abbey backline and slid a pass through to Paddy O’Sullivan. His first attempt ricocheted back off the bar and fell to Evan Lyons, whose shot was blocked down.

The ball fell to O’Sullivan again though and he pulled first time to finish home. A couple of minutes later and O’Sullivan set up Jordan Fitzpatrick for Portarlington’s second goal.

While Ballyroan Abbey grabbed a late consolation goal through Cathal Doyle, it was Portarlington who booked their spot in the Division 1 final against reigning champions, St Joseph’s.