Lyons the hero in last-gasp Portarlington win over Gaelscoil Phortlaoise

St Patrick’s BNS Portarlington edged a thrilling Roinn 2 Boys Shield Final with the very last puck of the game, as a Sam Lyons free secured a dramatic victory over Gaelscoil Phortlaoise. It was a game that had everything. Nine goals and countless momentum swings.

Portarlington 5-9

Gaelscoil Phortlaoise 4-11

Gaelscoil Phortlaoise made the stronger start with three points from the lively Ned Mac an tSionnaigh. Oisín McCormack responded for Portarlington before Sam Lyons added a 45 to close the gap. Lorcán Mac Giolla Bhríde knocked over a free for Gaelscoil before Mac an tSionnaigh rattled the net with a powerful finish.

Portarlington replied swiftly as Aaron Walsh slotted home a goal after good work from McCormack, and a Lyons free soon reduced the gap to one. Gaelscoil hit back with another Mac Giolla Bhríde free, but it was Lyons who had the final say of the half, scoring a well-taken goal to give Portarlington a 2-3 to 1-5 lead at the break.

Walsh kicked off the second half with a point, but Gaelscoil roared back as Mac an tSionnaigh fired in his second goal. Lyons levelled the sides soon after, and the teams traded scores in a gripping third quarter.

Mac Giolla Bhríde and Mac an tSionnaigh nudged Gaelscoil in front again, but Portarlington surged back with a goal from Tommy Walker Smith. Gaelscoil refused to go away, Mac Giolla Bhríde landed another free and Eoghan Ó Maolagáin added a point to level things again.

Walsh bagged his second goal before a point from Walker Smith stretched the lead. But Gaelscoil weren't done, with Pádraig Mac an tSionnaigh and then Tadhg Ó Buacháin finding the net to make it 3-10 to 4-7 and all square once more.

Walsh completed his hat-trick to push Portarlington ahead again, with another Walker Smith point giving them breathing room. But there was more drama as Mac an tSionnaigh completed his own hat-trick, tying the game once again.

Just as extra time loomed, Sam Lyons stepped up with nerves of steel to slot over the winning free, sparking jubilant celebrations among the Portarlington supporters. TEAMS AND SCORERS BELOW PICTURE.

SCORERS–Portarlington: Aaron Walsh 3-1, Sam Lyons 1-5 (0-2 frees, 0-1 45’), Tommy Walker Smith 1-2, Oisin McCormack 0-1 free Gaelscoil Phortlaoise: Ned Mac an tSionnaigh 3-4, Lorcán Mac Giolla Bhríde 0-5 (0-4 frees, 0-1 45’), Tadhg Ó Buacháin 1-0, Pádraig Mac an tSionnaigh and Eoghan Ó Maolagáin 0-1 each.

Scoil Phádraig Portarlington BNS: Sam Petriw, Andrew McCallum, Jack Scully, Donnacha Connaughton, Tommy Walker Smith, Oisín McCormack, Sam Lyons, Aaron Walsh, Tom Maher. Subs: James Brady, Dominic Wyse, Oscar McGurrell, Luke Hayes, Noah Kiernan, Michael McCallum.

Gaelscoil Phortlaoise: Stiofán Ó hUaine, Odhrán Ó Droighneáin, Klayton Ó Maolagáin, Lorcán Mac Giolla Bhríde, Tadhg Ó Buacháin, Pádraig Mac an tSionnaigh, Aodhán Ó Ceallaigh, Scott Ó Murchú, Ned Mac an tSionnaigh. Subs: Kian Ó Gréacháin, Eoghan Ó Maolagáin, Zach Mac Gabhann.