Darcy stars as Annanough see off Portlaoise's second string in Laois GAA IFC

Annanough opened up their Laois IFC campaign with an impressive victory over Portlaoise on Friday night in Timahoe.

Oran Darcy was outstanding throughout the match, hitting nine points and posing a potent threat at all stages. He was aided by two more youngsters, Jake Darcy and Cormac Deegan.

The turning point in the game happened just before halftime when David Holland got his marching orders as he picked up his second yellow card. Annanough made advantage of that in the second half and ran out deserving winners.

Cathal Keller opened the scoring for Annaough with a fine point, but Portlaoise grew into the game and kicked the next four points through Conor O’Callaghan, who got two with Kieran O’Donnell and Ben O’Reilly getting the fourth. Oran Darcy and Cormac Deegan got on the scoresheet for the first time, but Portlaoise again responded through Conor Dunphy and an O’Donnell 45'.

Darcy added two more frees in response to reduce the gap to one. Both teams then traded points with Ryan Morrin getting the one for Portlaoise while Rory Stapleton added one for Annanough. Just before the whistle for half-time, David Holland was sent off for two yellow cards as he got the second for a blatant trip on Jake Darcy. This was the final action of the first half as the score was 0-7 to 0-6 in favour of Portlaoise at the break. READ MORE BELOW PHOTO.

Dara Ramsbottom, Portlaoise, looking to hold off Conor Donlon, Annanough

The victors got off to a brilliant start after the break. Oran Darcy landed a two-pointer while Deegan got his second of the night. Portlaoise did hit two frees from O’Callaghan, but Annaough took control of the game and would hit a purple patch that proved decisive.

Cormac Deegan got Annaough’s second two-pointer from a free before disaster struck for the Portlaoise goalkeeper Cian O’Gorman. Annanough had a long-range free which Deegan took. It fell short but sailed over the head of O’Gorman into the net to give Annnaough full control. They then kicked for home with Darcy getting another two points while Adam Murray, who was also very impressive, got his name on the board.

Ben Brennan did reply with a point for Portlaoise, but the game was up at that stage. Fittingly, Darcy landed the last score with another two-pointer as Annanough cruised to victory.

Final Score

Annanough 1-16

Portlaoise 0-10

TEAMS & SCORERS Below photo

Jake Darcy, Annanough, in possession with Ryan Morrin, Portlaoise, moving to challenge. 

SCORERS

Annanough: Oran Darcy 0-9 (two frees, two two-pointers), Cormac Deegan 1-4 (1-0 free, one two-point free, one free), Rory Stapleton, Cathal Kelleher and Adam Murray 0-1 each.

Portlaoise: Conor O’Callaghan 0-4 (two frees), Kieran O’Donnell (one 45) 0-2, Conor Dunphy, Ryan Morrin, Ben O’Reilly and Ben Brennan 0-1 each

ANNANOUGH: Conor Hanley; Johnny Fennelly, Ronan Stapleton, Adam Murray; Conor Donlon, John Scully, David Miller; Fergal Scully, Cormac Deegan; Cathal Kelleher, Jake Darcy, Daire Stapleton; Oran Darcy, Jamie Fenlon, Rory Stapleton.

Subs: Ronan Donlon for Fenlon (injured – 48), Conor McCaul for Kelleher (injured – 52), Al Wajud-Demilade for Fennelly

PORTLAOISE: Cian O’Gorman; Gavin Skehan, Jack O’Connell, Dara Ramsbottom; Ryan Morrin, Colin Finn, Ryan Tully; Jack Brown, Ben O’Reilly; Dean Cullen, Conor Dunphy, David Holland; Conor O’Callaghan, Ben Conroy, Kieran O’Donnell.

Subs: Conor Ging for Skehan (HT), Cian Dowling-Byrne for O’Donnell (37), Ben Brennan for O’Callaghan (37), Graham Brody for Cullen (46), Jake Byrne for Finn

REFEREE: Brendan McCann (Portarlington)

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