Laois SFC: Quarter-Final Round Up

Portlaoise, Portarlington and Ballyroan-Abbey are into the last four.

Portlaoise v O'Dempseys

Portlaoise fans' rollercoaster through the 2021 Laois senior football championship continued this past weekend as they required extra-time to put a spirited O'Dempsey's side to the sword. 

For long periods of the game it looked like O'Dempsey's had "The Town's" number but the experience and shooting prowess of Portlaoise's bench would ultimately tell, as they contributed 62% of their total tally (1-9 out of 1-15). 

O'Dempsey's can be more than proud of their efforts even in taking the game to the added period, having required a late free kick just to do so, they embodied all the guts and skill a team should have in making the last eight of a senior county championship. 

Questions remain on the strength of this Portlaoise outfit despite their presence in the last four. They've already tasted defeat this season and have looked like a punch drunk boxer at many stages in the last couple of rounds but much akin to a grizzled veteran, keep finding a way to grind it out. 

There's a lot to be said for being battled hardened at this stage in proceedings and that is one thing this group will definitely be by comparison to their main rivals. 

Portarlington v Stradbally

In contrast Portarlington as the defending champions could rarely be looking more formidable at this point. 

They put Stradbally to the sword with a minimal of fuss after an initial flurry in the opening ten minutes and in doing so kept up a remarkable defensive record in which they haven't seen a green flag raised against them in either 2020 or 2021. 

There's an old adage in American sporting circles that defence wins championships and this Portarlington team certainly embody that philosophy right now. 

That's not to take away from a young and accurate forward line, who are particularly potent around the 45'. 

On this day they were led by Colm Murphy and Jake Foster who combined for 11-points in the contest including a number of placed balls. 

The result means they are now eight games unbeaten and are rightly hot favourites to retain their crown in the coming weeks.

From a Stradbally prospective it was probably mission accomplished in many respects making it to this stage and anything they could have achieved on the field Saturday evening would have been bonus territory. 

They'll live to fight another year at senior level and look to build on being among the top eight in the county once again this season.

Ballyroan-Abbey v Courtwood

Arguably the most interesting contest across the weekend, Ballyroan-Abbey would come out on top to end a 15-year famine between final four appearances. 

They won it all under a different guise back in 2006 but have had to wait until now to get a sniff of such success again, and what a way in which to do it. 

Trailing by the minimum at half-time to a Courtwood side also on a hiding to nothing, Padraig Clancy's side hit 2-7 in the closing 30-minutes to give Clancy a statement win as boss. 

The goals came from the boot of Brian Whelan, Padraig McMahon and Davin McEvoy in what is a very young side overall. 

Everyone will know with youth comes exuberance and inconsistency but you'd expect whoever they draw in the semi-final will definitely get a thorough examination on the day. 

Courtwood came through possibly the game of the championship in round three against Clonaslee St. Manmans and Eddie Kinsella's charges could well have been advancing to the latter stages but for a superb patch from the opposing forwards that many defences in the county would have struggled to contain. 

Another positive season for them at senior level and every year they stay at the top table of Laois football is a good one for them. 

Emo v Graigucullen

The final spot in the semi-finals will be decided tomorrow night. 

The game has been re-scheduled for 7:30pm in O'Moore Park. 

There will be extra-time if required.

Results:

  • Portlaoise 1-15 O'Dempseys 1-12 
  • Portarlington 0-16 Stradbally 0-8
  • Ballyroan-Abbey 3-11 Courtwood 1-10

Fixtures: 

  • Emo v Graigucullen

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