Written by Laois PR Team
Photo credit: Paul Dargan
Winners Section Round 2
Arles Killeen v Courtwood
Ballyroan-Abbey v Rosenallis
Portlaoise v Emo
Graiguecullen v Portarlington
Qualifiers Section Round 2
Killeshin v Ballyfin
Clonaslee St.Manman’s v Stradbally
St.Joseph’s vs Ballylinan
O’Dempsey’s vs The Heath
Permutations for Winners Section Round 2: The winners of the fixtures in the upcoming Winners Section Round 2, will automatically qualify for the SFC quarter final stages. The defeated sides of these Winners Section Round 2 fixtures, will head into Round 3 where they will be drawn to play against winners from the Qualifiers Section Round 2.
Permutations for Qualfiers Section Round 2: The winners of the upcoming Qualifers Section Round 2 fixtures will qualify for SFC Round 3, where they will be drawn to play against defeated teams from the Winners Section Round 2 fixtures above. The defeated teams of these Qualifers Section Round 2 fixtures, will head into the Senior ‘B’ Championship quarter finals where they will be drawn to play against defeated teams from the Round 3 Fixtures. The winners of Round 3 fixtures qualify for the SFC ‘A’ quarter finals and do not go into the ‘B’ competition. The defeated teams of the ‘B’ quarter finals, contest relegation semi finals.
Round 1 Reviews:
Ballyroan Abbey vs The Heath in Ratheniska on Wednesday July 24th
Ballyroan Abbey: 0-15 (15)
The Heath: 1-5 (8)
Standout players: Ballyroan Abbey: Davin McEvoy started in midfield and produced a strong performance there throughout. He was excellent at winning kickouts and scored from winning a mark too. Total score 0-5 (3 from play). Adam Jones as substitute goalkeeper was handed his SFC debut after an injury to starting keeper Paudie McDonald. Jones was very impressive with great catches and kickouts in the 2nd half.
The Heath: Despite defeat, The Heath’s positive was they produced a very good display, particularly in the 1st half and lead at half time. Full forward Paddy Fitzpatrick was full of energy in attack and scored a total 1-1, 1 point from play, from way out. Forward Daithi Carroll was also very lively and scored 1-1. His goal very well taken and finished with composure after winning a dangerous ball launched in from Colin Nestor.
Courtwood vs Killeshin in Annanough on Thursday July 25th
Courtwood: 1-14 (17)
Killeshin: 0-10 (10)
Standout players: Courtwood: Ryan Little was brilliant at wing forward, scored a total 0-4, 1 of these a long kick from long range. Little also set up teammate Alan Kinsella (had a fantastic game and unstoppable at full forward) with a goal. Little and Kinsella worked very well together and Kinsella was perfect at collecting precise passes into him and finishing with a total 1-2.
Killeshin: in midfield, Eoin Lowry produced a strong performance, was a good link to attack and created opportunities by nicely setting up his teammates. One of these plays by Eoin Lowry, unlucky not to result in a goal as a Michael Doran effort hit the crossbar. Evan Lowry was electric, a threat to the Courtwood defence with his accuracy and top scorer from both sides with 0-7.
Portarlington vs O’Dempseys in LOETB COE on Thursday July 25th
Portarlington: 1-16 (19)
O’Dempseys: 2-10 (16)
Standout players: O’Dempseys: Dan McCormack was the main danger man courtesy of his physical strength and presence to win high balls in at full forward. (Total 1-1) Mark Barry was skillful in beating opposition, got big scores, one from a tight angle. (Total 0-5). Corner back Stephen Lennon was both excellent in defence and running forward (scored a point from midfield after kicking it really high but accurate).
Portarlington: Rioghan Murphy was the standout player of the night with his speed off the mark, which made him effective in setting up scores and scoring himself. (Total 0-4). Jake Foster got some lovely scores as a reward of a patient attacking build up for Port (total 1-4). Midfielder Eoin McCann was also very impressive, winning many kickouts and had a great delivery of foot passes into the forwards.
Portlaoise vs Ballylinan in Stradbally on Friday July 26th
Portlaoise: 3-23 (32)
Ballylinan: 1-6 (9)
Standout players: Portlaoise: Emmet Maloney was excellent at centre back and won alot of ball to cut out and intercept Ballylinan opportunities. Up front, Benny Carroll got 0-3 from play but he was electric on the ball all night, his biggest impact and contribution to the win was when he was in possession. Kieran Lillis was also in top form. Won & scored a great mark, assisted 2 goals (total 1-4)
Ballylinan: Corner forward Ciaran Farrell when out the field helped set up a goal chance with a lovely long ball into Caithail Dunne, who scored a point. Farrell also scored a point from free. Corner back Michael Downey worked hard and went on a fantastic run to finish with a great goal. Half forward Andy McEvoy was very good and got a lovely 2 points from play.
St.Joseph’s vs Graiguecullen in LOETB COE on Friday July 26th.
St.Josephs: 0-8
Graiguecullen: 0-9
Standout players: Graiguecullen: Aaron Dorgan displayed an eye catching performance. From a stunning high catch with one hand to win a ball from a kickout in midfield, accurate foot passes to Brian Byrne out wide to score, won multiple kickouts flawlessly and beat multiple markers at once. Corner forward Jack Byrne was also brilliant, with his speed through the Joseph’s defence.
St Joseph’s: Eoghan O’Flaherty had great strength up front to beat defenders, won kick outs, set up scores, won frees and scored 3 frees. He also made strong tackles and turnovers. Mikey Keogh, was also very accurate with a total score of 0-4 from play. Corner back Jack Lacey, was solid in defence at winning possession back in the back line and with accurate passes up field, to clear danger.
Arles Killeen vs Ballyfin in LOETB COE on Saturday July 27th
Arles Killeen: 0-12
Ballyfin: 0-8
Standout players: Arles Killeen: Sean O’Shea had explosive pace on and off the ball, done very well to win a free, set up scores, scored 0-1 and a smashing goal effort hit the upright of the crossbar. O’Shea’s quick hand passing going forward with Noel Gaughan was also impressive. The precise passes Donie Kingston fed into Paul Kingston, resulted in crucial scores from Paul (0-5).
Ballyfin: Working together, Darragh Connolly (0-1) and Sean Moore (0-3) opened up the Killeen defence and reward their Ballyfin side with scores after their hard work rate. At half back, Darragh Connolly was very difficult to mark when in possession, which started with him being excellent in defence, as he collected the ball to bring further up the field.
Stradbally vs Rosenallis in LOETB COE on Saturday July 27th
Stradbally: 0-9
Rosenallis: 1-13
Standout players: Rosenallis: Charlie Friel was outstanding throughout with 7 points scored and set up the goal by Diarmuid Dooley in an emphatic win. Jimmy Hyland had a hand in alot of scores also with accurate passes and runs through gaps. Fiachra C Fennell had physical presence in defence to keep out opposition, made strong tackles and turnovers from interceptions.
Stradbally: Ronan Creery displayed great athleticism. Winning many kickouts, combined with pace and ability to beat players, Creery was a good link between the Stradbally midfield and attack. Goalkeeper Darren Maher made really excellent saves, in which he showed his experience in dealing with dangerous balls and placed kickouts perfectly.
Emo vs Clonaslee St.Manman’s in Mountmellick on Saturday July 27th
Emo: 4-15 (27)
Clonaslee St.Manman’s: 1-13 (16)
Standout players: Emo: Both Paddy Hosey (2-3) and Ross Meredith (1-2) starred as Emo were relentless up front from the start, both set up scores and were clinical finishers themselves. Niall Gorman conquered the midfield area throughout and was very influential in the set up of Emo’s opening goal by Darren Strong. Darren Strong’s experience was evident on the night too, with a total score of 1-1.
Clonaslee St.Manman’s: Despite defeat, DJ Callaghan in the corner was robust in defence, with impact on the attack too when after a speedy run, assisted Bob Downey’s excellent goal finish. Cathal Lee created a goal chance denied only by a good save, scored a wonderful point from play and efficient in free taking duties (0-6 from frees)
By Laois PRO Mon 29th Jul
