2024 Laois Shopping Centre: SFC Round 3 Recap and SFC & IFC knockout stage draw.
Photo credit: Paul Dargan
Written by Laois PR Team
Following the conclusion of the group stage rounds in the Laois Shopping Centre: Senior Football & Intermediate Football Championships, this past weekend.
The Laois Shopping Centre: SFC quarter finals and the IFC semi finals are now confirmed, alongside the SFC ‘B’ quarter finals and IFC ‘B’ semi finals.
First, we have the confirmed pairings as a result of the draw and below this, we look back on the SFC Round 3 games.
Laois Shopping Centre: SFC Quarter Finals:
Portlaoise v St.Joseph’s
Portarlington v Ballyroan Abbey
Graiguecullen v Killeshin
O’Dempseys v Arles Killeen
Laois Shopping Centre: SFC ‘B’ Quarter Finals
Stradbally v Courtwood
Ballyfin v Clonaslee St.Manman’s
Ballylinan v Emo
The Heath v Rosenallis
Laois Shopping Centre: IFC Semi Finals:
Crettyard v Annanough
Park-Ratheniska v Mountmellick
Laois Shopping Centre: IFC ‘B’ Semi-Finals
Portlaoise v Timahoe
Ballyroan-Abbey v Arles-Kilcruise
SFC Round 3 Recap:
O’Dempsey’s v Rosenallis: on Saturday August 31st in Laois Hire O’Moore Park
O’Dempsey’s: 5-16 (31)
Rosenallis: 3-12 (21)
Standout Players:
O’Dempseys:
Full back Johnny Kelly’s movement on the ball for great distance up the field & accurate kick passing helped set up a goal chance & a Mark Barry point. Half back Jack Lennon also had a good defensive contribution rate with winning ball, fast hand passing on the run forward and set up Matthew Finlay’s 1st goal. In midfield, Fionn Holland displayed strength to win kickouts & as a result of these kickouts he: won 2 frees, scored a point and directly from his both his precise hand and kick passes, set up 2 of his sides goals. (Finlay’s & Pat Maher’s goals) In attack, Matthew Finlay returned to the starting line up after injury (since 2nd half introduction in Round 2 vs The Heath). Finlay was back in top form as his usual commanding self, with outstanding pace and scores (total 2-5).
Rosenallis:
Jimmy Hyland produced an excellent performance in midfield: involved in both his sides goals and directly set up Eoin Dunne with wonderful passes for both of Dunne’s goals. Hyland also set up Dunne with another goal chance saved by Podge Bannon and another goal opportunity from Ruardri C Fennell. Matthew Bennett done very well defensively at half back. At crucial moments to prevent O’Dempseys attacks , he made an interception in the box, won a free out and directly set up Eoin Dunne with a goal chance after a lovely pass in behind. Charlie Friel returned from injury and had a great game. (Total 1-4) A penalty he won and scored himself, accuracy from frees and scored a great point from play from distance out wide.
Emo vs Killeshin: on Saturday August 31st in Laois Hire O’Moore Park
Emo: 1-7 (10)
Killeshin: 0-16 (16)
Standout Players:
Killeshin:
Adam Deering lined out at no.10 but displaying an immense work rate, he was everywhere on the pitch for his side: defending in the back line with intercepting catches, running forward to contribute in winning possession in midfield, won a free for Killian Roche to convert. Deering also made multiple passes into attack to set up scores and scored a point himself from play. Michael Doran’s point he scored from a mark was brilliantly won, all whilst being marked by 3 defenders. In attack, Michael Doran and Evan English combined were superb throughout with fantastic scores from play. Michael Doran scored a total (0-2) and Evan English scored a total (0-3). Michael Doran and Evan English almost scored goals. English had the great pace to split open Emo’s defence and Doran won difficult ball to score.
Emo:
Had an early blow with the talented Paddy Hosey coming off injured. Goalkeeper Eoin Butler continues to be a very reliable and shot stopper, Eoin Butler made a total 3 outstanding saves. All from point blank range to deny strong efforts by Michael Doran and Evan English. 1 of these saves stood out as Butler saved using only his feet to deny Doran. Finnbar Crowley made massive runs from the backline to attack, one of which led to a score by Colm Poole and another run to come into midfield to intercept a high ball for a turnover. Up front, Ross Meredith continues to be on target, in racking up scores from angles and range for his side (0-3 from play) with his ability under defensive pressure to beat markers and Cian Langford was also lively (0-1).
Portarlington v Clonaslee St.Manman’s: on Sunday September 1st in Laois Hire O’Moore Park
Portarlington: 2-13 (19)
Clonaslee St.Manman’s: 0-6 (6)
Standout Players:
Portarlington:
In defence, Cathal Bennett produced an outstanding performance at centre back. His tight man marking throughout prevented Clonaslee attackers from getting through the Portarlington back line for scoring opportunities. Bennett won a great amount of ball sent in his way and made 2 interceptions from running out first to win the ball. He made 2 super tackles and won the ball back from Cian Callaghan to prevent Callaghan going 1 on 1 with keeper Luke O’Reilly. Ronan Coffey (Total 0-2) had an excellent game and started very lively with his sides opening score from a free and got his 2nd score too in the 1st half as he contributed to scores in the 2nd half, including 1 of the goals. Jake Foster’s attacking threat was on display throughout, total score (1-4) from his runs on the ball to get both around and past defenders.
Clonaslee St.Manman’s:
Goalkeeper Darragh Mulhall was in top form with 2 point blank range saves from close range to deny really good efforts on goal by both Darragh Galvin and Jake Foster. He saved Galvin’s shot with his feet. Mulhall came out to collect a dropping dangerous ball & won a free out. Half back Bob Downey was excellently defensively throughout. Downey’s pressing game was strong as his man marking helped at times to keep Portarlington out and he also made both a good tackle and interception from Darragh Galvin on the edge of the box. Downey collected the deflection from Darragh Mulhall’s save on Jake Foster and on the run out, Downey won a free to clear danger. Downey won 2 more frees in the space of 2 minutes & intercepted 2 more passes.
St.Josephs vs Courtwood: on Sunday September 1st in Laois Hire O’Moore Park
St.Joseph’s: 3-16 (25)
Courtwood: 0-9 (0-9)
Standout Players
St. Joseph’s:
Corner back Conor Kealy was very solid and consistent defensively throughout with impressive moments: anticipated a run to the recieve ball before Dylan Keane, Kealy cleared with a pass into midfield from the back line for a turnover. Kealy also helped out in attack by setting up Mikey Keogh with a score. Kealy then tracked back on the resulting Courtwood kickout to intercept a pass going forward in the next play from Paul O’Flynn. Alongside his scoring contribution. Mikey Keogh (1-2) was very good at aerial duals and winning high ball. Josh O’Brien and Eoghan O’Flaherty (0-3 each) both set up 2 goals. O’Brien worked hard and won the high ball in that led to the fisted goal by Matty Campion (1-1) after a passing combo by O’Brien & O’Flaherty (0-3) O’Brien set up the 3rd goal too with his defected shot, landing to O’Flaherty again who’s pass found Brian Daly (1-3) for the finish.
Courtwood:
Ryan Little won a kickout, sent lovely kick passes forward and was excellent from the outset on the run, he won 2 frees, 1 of that were converted for opening score by Matthew Byron. Sean O’Flynn had a very good game with a strong defensive performance at corner back: he made 4 big interceptions and won a free out. O’Flynn passes combined with corner forward Dylan Keane who had pace going forward, helped set up the attacks from which Alan Kinsella (0-5) and Niall Dunne (0-2) got their scores. Sean O Flynn also excellently man marked and intercepted from Brian Daly after a dangerous ball in to prevent Daly another goal opportunity. O’Flynn at full stretch, to intercept with a slap down and then to collect the ball, preventing it from falling to Seamus Farrelly, inside the 45 line, O’Flynn successfully prevented another attack.
By Laois PRO Mon 2nd Sep
