Portarlington deliver statement win over Na Fianna Og to open Laois GAA U-20 football campaign

Portarlington made a winning start to their Laois U-20 Football Championship campaign on Tuesday evening, overcoming Na Fianna Óg in a rain-soaked McCann Park. A blistering first-half display did the damage for the hosts, who never looked back after opening up a commanding lead before the break.

Na Fianna Óg arrived in Portarlington buoyed by their earlier win over St Joseph’s on October 25, but they now face a crucial clash with Portlaoise on Friday evening if they are to keep their qualification hopes alive. Port, meanwhile, are braced for a busy week with further group games scheduled for Friday and Sunday.

The home side hit the ground running as Sean Moran opened the scoring inside a minute. Conor Maher’s pressure forced a turnover soon after, and Sean Michael Ward converted the resulting free to double their advantage. The first goal arrived moments later when Portarlington pounced on a misplaced kick-out and Tom Corcoran rifled to the net past Diarmuid Byrne, who was still returning his kicking tee when the shot flew in.

It took 14 minutes for Na Fianna Óg to register their first score through Ennae Byrne, but Port responded ruthlessly, adding 1-2 without reply. Their next two points came from avoidable frees, as Na Fianna Óg were twice penalised for indiscipline after conceding fouls. On both occasions, they didn't hand the ball back, allowing referee Jamie McDonald to move the frees closer, and Corey Lyons made no mistake from the resulting kicks.

Soon after, Sean Moran was hauled down in the square after a pinpoint Ward pass, and Sean Bennett calmly dispatched the penalty to push Portarlington further clear. The visitors ended the half with two frees from Ben Slattery and Byrne, but Lyons tacked on his third point of the half to make it 2-5 to 0-3 at the interval.

The second half saw far fewer scores, and Na Fianna Óg’s task was a mountain after their first-half struggles. Slattery opened the half with a free, before Port nearly found their third goal, only for Conor George to produce a brilliant block to deny Corcoran another green flag.

Lyons continued to torment the visitors with another free, while Matthew O’Sullivan burst forward from half-back to add a fine point. Lyons then kicked his fifth of the evening to extend the gap to ten points entering the final quarter. Calum McElroy and Slattery pulled a couple of points back for Na Fianna Óg, before Hugh Connolly responded with a tidy effort for Portarlington.

The visitors grabbed a late consolation when McElroy blasted past Luke O’Reilly in the closing stages, but it proved too little too late as Portarlington ran out six-point winners.

Next up, Port welcome St Joseph’s on Friday night, while Na Fianna Óg make the trip to Rathleague to face Portlaoise.

Final Score

Portarlington 2-9

Na Fianna Og 1-6

SCORERS — Portarlington: Corey Lyons 0-5 (0-3 frees), Sean Bennett (pen) and Tom Corcoran 1-0 each, Matthew O’Sullivan, Sean Moran, Sean Michael Ward (free) and Hugh Connolly 0-1 each. Na Fianna Og: Calum McElroy 1-1, Ben Slattery 0-3 (0-2 frees), Ennae Byrne 0-2.

PORTARLINGTON: Luke O’Reilly; Conor Moran, Jordan Downey, Cian Kelly; Matthew O’Sullivan, Hugh Connolly, Cathal Ward; Tom Corcoran, Daniel Stefanov; Corey Lyons, Conor Maher, Sean Michael Ward; Ben McCann, Sean Bennett, Sean Moran. Subs: Paddy Murray for C Ward and Ciaran Connell for Moran (both 48 mins), Odhran O’Reilly for Bennett and James Saunders  for Kelly (51 mins), Lucas Coleman for Ward (53 mins)

NA FIANNA OG: Diarmuid Byrne; Ben Griffin, Ethan Mackey, Eoin Kelly; Cillian Langton, Ben Slattery, Adam George; Oran Kelleher, Conor George; Calum McElroy, Jack Behan, Shane Lawlor; Eolann Maguire, Ennae Byrne, Eoin Mulhall. Subs: Harry Byrne for Kelly (59 mins)

Referee: Jamie McDonald (Rosenallis)

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