Laois Senior Football Championship Round 2 previews and predictions

Thursday evening sees the Senior Football Championship kick into gear as Round 2 action is due to get underway. The Championship has been split into two as teams battle it out in the Winners' Section and the Losers' Section.

A second successive win for those in the Winners' Section will see them into a quarter-final whereas a defeat will leave them in round three against those who win their game in the Losers' Section. A loss for those in the Loser's Section will see them drop into the newly formed 'B' Championship.

There are two games scheduled to take place on Thursday evening as Park-Ratheniska take on Courtwood in Laois Hire O'Moore Park while Ballyfin take on Clonaslee St Manman's in McCann Park, Portarlington.

Park-Ratheniska were beaten narrowly in round one by Ballyroan-Abbey with Courtwood being defeated by the 2016 champions Stradbally. Courtwood are slight favourites for the game having gotten to the semi-final stage of last year's competition. They'll know that they must add more to the scoreboard as against Stradbally, they only managed to score 1-8. Park-Ratheniska will be relishing the chance to reach round three for the second successive year. 

Ballyfin will go into their game versus Clonaslee St Manman's with full confidence after pushing county champions Portarlington to the pin of their collar in the opening game. Arles-Killeen were the side who got the better of Clonaslee St Manman's to leave them in the Losers' Section. If Ballyfin play in similar fashion as they did against Portarlington, they should have way too much for their opponents.

Arles-Killeen won their opening round contest and have been drawn to face neighbours Killeshin on Friday evening. They needed a late surge to defeat last year's Intermediate champions The Heath in their opener. This should be a game that will be close with the winner gaining the bragging rights.

Saturday evening sees a double header of games as Portlaoise face Rosenallis in the Losers' Section while county champions Portarlington face Stradbally. Portlaoise will be hoping that their hopes of lifting the Jack Delaney Cup stay alive as a loss on Saturday evening will see them drop into the 'B' Championship.

Stradbally had a wonderful win the opening round as they defeated Courtwood by seven points in a dominant performance. Portarlington will be hoping that their injured players will return to the fold as they had to contend with a lot of injuries in the Ballyfin game.

A triple header is in store on Sunday as round 2 will be brought to a close in Laois Hire O'Moore Park, Graiguecullen face The Heath, Emo take on O'Dempsey's and St Joseph's face Ballyroan-Abbey. Graiguecullen were beaten by last year's beaten finalists O'Dempsey's as a strong second-half proved crucial in Eoin Kearns' side victory. Emo will take on Kearns' team as the near neighbours go to battle after Emo comfortably got the better of Rosenallis. The final game of round 2 sees two potential contenders for this year's championship with Mikey Dempsey's St Joseph's taking on Shane Wall's Ballyroan-Abbey. 

Full fixtures and predictions below:

Thursday August 10

Laois Shopping Centre SFC Rd 2 Qualifier (Extra Time/Winner on the Day)

Laois Hire O’Moore Park 7.30pm Park Ratheniska v Courtwood. Prediction: Courtwood

McCann Park 7.30pm Ballyfin v Clonaslee St Manmans. Prediction: Ballyfin

Friday August 11

Laois Shopping Centre SFC Rd 2 Winners (Extra Time/Winner on the Day) 

Laois Hire O’Moore Park 7.30pm Arles Killeen v Killeshin. Prediction: Arles-Killeen

Saturday August 12

Laois Shopping Centre SFC Rd 2 Qualifier (Extra Time/Winner on the Day)

Laois Hire O’Moore Park 5.30pm Portlaoise v Rosenallis. Prediction: Portlaoise

Laois Shopping Centre SFC Rd 2 Winners (Extra Time/Winner on the Day) 

Laois Hire O’Moore Park 7pm Portarlington v Stradbally. Prediction: Portarlington

Sunday August 13

Laois Shopping Centre SFC Rd 2 Qualifier (Extra Time/Winner on the Day)

Laois Hire O’Moore Park 1.45pm Graiguecullen v The Heath. Prediction: Graiguecullen

Laois Shopping Centre SFC Rd 2 Winners (Extra Time/Winner on the Day) 

Laois Hire O’Moore Park 3.30pm Emo v O’Dempsey’s. Prediction: O'Dempsey's

Laois Hire O’Moore Park 5pm St Joseph’s v Ballyroan Abbey. Predictions: St Joseph's