Finn and Maher goals help Portlaoise bounce back against robust Rosenallis outfit

Portlaoise were narrowly edged out by St Joseph’s in the first-round after a back-and-forth encounter. ‘The Town’ drew Rosenallis from the losers’ section, who had been destroyed by Emo in their opening Senior football championship match.

Rosenallis put in a much-improved display this time around. They kept Portlaoise honest for the entire sixty-plus minutes, as Paul Dillon’s men brought an intensity and aggression to this one that they lacked the first day.

However, goals from Chris Finn and Ricky Maher proved enough for Portlaoise to get through this one and advance to round three. 

Portlaoise 2-10

Rosenallis 0-11

Portlaoise drew first blood in Laois Hire O’Moore Park. Paul Cahillane curled over the opening score, as Porlaoise looked to take advantage of the slight first-half breeze.

Kevin Fitzpatrick’s men didn’t really gain much momentum from that point though. Rosenallis matched them with their physicality and intensity for much of the remainder of the half and kept Portlaoise quiet.

Jack Claffey levelled proceedings for Rosenallis through a free. Paul Cahillane responded for Portlaoise with the next two points, as the centre-forward curled over points from a mark and a free.

Rosenallis enjoyed plenty of possession during that first ten minutes but failed to make much use of it. Portlaoise were creating more chances down the opposite end but they weren’t very clinical in front of the posts.

Paul Dillon’s men reduced the deficit back to the minimum when Charlie Friel curled over a free for them. Then Rosenallis worked a goal chance that could have really rattled Portlaoise had it gone in.

Charlie Friel’s movement was causing Portlaoise problems anytime he got on the ball. Friel managed to swivel away from a few Portlaoise defenders before playing it inside to the unmarked Jimmy Hyland.

However, Hyland’s chipped attempt came back off the crossbar and Portlaoise could breathe a sigh of relief. They remained very wayward themselves though, as Portlaoise’s usual issues in terms of scoring came back to bite them.

Rosenallis were dealt a blow as we approached twenty minutes played in Laois Hire O’Moore Park. Dermot Dooley was black-carded for deliberately taking down Kevin Swayne as he went through the middle.

Paul Cahillane kicked the resulting free from that incident between the posts to move Portlaoise two to the good again. However, Rosenallis once more replied, as Joey Shelly cut inside to slice over a lovely point.

Portlaoise failed to utilise their man advantage for much of the time that Dermot Dooley was sin-binned. They continued to kick poor wides and their build-up play was slow and passive.

However, just before half-time, Portlaoise grabbed the crucial score that would decide the outcome of this one. It was a well-worked team move, to their credit, as Kieran Lillis and Ben Reddin worked to set up wing-back Chris Finn inside and he crashed home.

That goal sent Portlaoise in 1-4 to 0-3 ahead at the interval. All of Rosenallis’ hard work was damaged by that goal late in the first-half, as Portlaoise were comfortably in the driving seat now.

Portlaoise pointed the opening score of the second-half. Chris Finn found Ciaran McEvoy inside and he opted to fist one over the bar.

Rosenallis replied through a Charlie Friel free but Portlaoise responded with the next two to stretch their lead. They came close to scoring their second goal but Ben Dempsey’s shot inside was saved by Donal Lalor in the Rosenallis goal and it went over for just a point.

Damon Larkin showed his pace and power to move from one end of the field to the other for another Portlaoise score. Rosenallis refused to go away though, as Paul Dillon’s side kicked three points on the trot.

Jack Claffey and John O’Loughlin landed points from placed balls either side of a point from play for Brian Fitzpatrick. Rosenallis only trailed by three points heading into the final quarter in Laois Hire O’Moore Park.

However, that would be as close as Rosenallis would get. Portlaoise’s second goal ended any chance of Rosenallis causing a shock. While Kieran Lillis’ attempt was blocked by David Dooley, Ricky Maher was on hand to tap home the rebound.

Kieran Lillis was Portlaoise’s best player the first day against St Joseph’s and he had some impressive moments in this one too. Lillis swung over a lovely point to push Portlaoise seven clear.

Rosenallis rallied again but they were still too far back at this stage. Jack Claffey and Charlie Friel kicked over frees for them but it was too little, too late.