Laois Shopping Centre: SFC Semi Finals and IFC Final Recap.
Written by Laois PR Team
Photo credit: Paul Dargan
The confirmed pairings for the upcoming Laois Shopping Centre: Adult Football Championship matches are as follows:
SFC Final
Portlaoise v Portarlington
SFC ‘B’ Final:
Clonaslee St.Manman’s v The Heath
SFC Relegation Final
Ballylinan v Ballyfin
IFC Relegation Final:
Portlaoise vs Ballyroan Abbey.
JFC ‘A’ Semi Finals
Graiguecullen v St Josephs
The Rock v Kilcavan
JFC ‘B’ Final
Stradbally v Rosenallis
Congratulations to our recent champions:
IFC Winners: Congratulations to Crettyard, who won the 2024 Laois Shopping Centre: Intermediate Football Championship after defeating Mountmellick in the final, on a scoreline of 2-12 to 0-10.
IFC ‘B’ Winners: Congratulations to Arles Kilcruise, who won the 2024: Laois Shopping Centre: Intermediate ‘B’ Football Championship after defeating Timahoe in the final, on a scoreline of 1-7 to 0-5.
JFC ‘C’ Winners: Congratulations to St.Joseph’s: who won the 2024: Laois Shopping Centre: Junior ‘C’ Football Championship after defeating Courtwood in the final, on a scoreline of 1-8 to 0-8.
IFC Final Recap:
Crettyard v Mountmellick on Friday September 27th.
Crettyard: 2-12 (18)
Mountmellick: 0-10 (10)
Standout Players
Crettyard :
Ciaran Burke was really impressive in midfield: won an incredible amount of ball from kickouts, won a great mark in midfield, set up an Evan O’Carroll point and goal chance, had 2 goal chances of his own saved by Mountmellick keeper Eoghan Keogh, and scored a point from outside the 45. Cormac Murphy was also outstanding: with a total score of 2-4 and made great runs from midfield to attack, won and a scored a free, scored a 45 and set up 1 of his goals himself by: beating 2 markers on a massive run and when in space, recieved a one-two pass before scoring his goal. Corner back Brian O’Sullivan was excellent in defence as his strong tackles, turnovers and man marking prevented a Mountmellick goal.
Mountmellick:
Half back Tom O’Connell put in a huge shift both defensively and in contribution to the attack. He was involved in a lot of scores from his bursting runs down the field after he created turnovers in defence from tackles. He won 2 frees for Niall Mullen to convert and set up 2 points from Finn Culleton and Colm Coss. Left half forward Finn Culleton had a great campaign this year for his side as a key player and continued his top form in the final: scored 2 lovely points from play, created a goal chance, set up 2 points from Eoin George and Colm Coss, whilst in defensive duty too: made both a great block and a shoulder tackle to prevent 2 Evan O’Carroll goal chances. Goalkeeper Eoghan Keogh made 2 outstanding saves to deny Ciaran Burke.
SFC Semi Finals Recap:
Portlaoise v O’Dempsey’s: on Sunday September 29th:
Portlaoise: 2-12 (18)
O’Dempsey’s: (14)
Standout Players:
Portlaoise:
Colin McEvoy at half back was super solid defensively: worked hard to win ball in the back line and with physical strength beat markers on runs forward, in midfield won kickouts from Conor Brown, his long ball accuracy into the forwards was brilliant and this set up crucial scores: the 1st goal by Paul Cahilliane, a Kieran Lillis mark and McEvoy made a vital interception as he got out in front of Dan McCormack to prevent an attacking opportunity. Kieran Lillis’ top form continues and he is Portlaoise’s target man in attack. He scored 0-3 (1 mark) from beating markers after jumping full stretch with strong hands, to win alot of high ball sent his way. Corner back Ben Dempsey was full of energy throughout, Dempsey’s tackling prevented 2 Matthew Finlay scoring chances and he made a vital clearance in the final moments that led to a Ricky Maher score.
O’Dempsey’s:
The early loss of the brilliant Barry Kelly presumably to injury, was a blow to O’Dempsey’s after 15 mins as he had a great game in the opening quarter. But the impressive and strong performance of Fionn Holland in midfield made up for it. He won a great amount of ball and on great runs, set up a few Mark Barry scores, 1 of these scores as a result of, Holland beating 2 men on his run forward. Excellent all over the field especially in midfield and defence was Shane Nerney and he was very good on his return with great ball carrying ability. Nerney prevented a Ben Dempsey point from play with a strong block and both his passes and runs opened up the Portlaoise defence for scoring opportunities. Corner back Adam O’Leary made an impact in defence with his hard work rate and limited opportunities for DJ White: with effective man marking and strong tackles and turnovers with 4 in total. (2 in the 1st half and 2 in the 2nd half)
Portarlington v Graiguecullen: on Sunday September 29th
Portarlington: 3-10 (19)
Graiguecullen: 0-11 (11)
Standout Players:
Portarlington:
Darragh Galvin and Jake Foster both were superb. Galvin won a great amount of ball sent into him and won the frees for Jake Foster to convert in the 1st half, 3 in total. Foster scored 0-6 with 2 of these points from play, particularly outstanding as they were excellently taken from long range and difficult angles. Darragh Slevin displayed good movement on the ball, carrying & keeping possession before making clever passes into attack and involved in a lot of the build up play that led to scores. Slevin was also involved and helped set up Keith Brackens goal by passing to Graham Weldon who’s long ball was punched in by Bracken, before Galvin scored a great goal himself in the 2nd half. Centre back Cathal Bennett made a huge impact in defence: limiting the danger of the Graiguecullen attack all game as he won alot of high ball and made a great block on an Aaron Dorgan shot before intercepting from Luke Hand to prevent a chance.
Graiguecullen:
Corner forward Conor Kelly was very lively and produced some really massive scores. Accurate and reliable from dead balls as always, scoring 6 points from frees and 1 point from a mark, which was brilliantly won from a high ball. It was his 2 points from play that were outstanding: one from long range from a difficult angle, against the strong wind and the 2nd as he worked hard to turnover from Alex Mahon before fisting over. In defence Trevor Collins had a good game, intercepting from Ronan Coffey to prevent an attack and won a few dangerous balls into the box. Danny McGrath produced a strong performance, winning alot of ball in midfield and from kickouts. He displayed ability to get around the opposition before laying off good passes forward to set up scores, such as some frees scored by Conor Kelly and his direct long ball into Jamie Sheehan for a point from play.
By Laois PRO Mon 30th Sep
