Laois Shopping Centre: SFC Round 2 Recap

Laois Shopping Centre: SFC Round 2 Recap

Photo credit: Paul Dargan

Written by Laois PR Team

What’s next:

The following 4 teams are through to the Laois Shopping Centre: SFC quarter finals after 2 wins from 2. Ballyroan-Abbey, Arles-Killeen, Portlaoise and Graiguecullen.

The winners from Round 3 await them.

Round 3 Fixtures: Set to take place on the weekend of August 31st/September 1st

Portarlington vs Clonaslee St. Manman’s

Emo vs Killeshin

Rosenallis vs O’Dempseys

Courtwood vs St.Josephs

The winners of Round 3 progress to the SFC quarter finals.

The defeated sides in Round 3, head to the Senior ‘B’ quarter finals alongside Stradbally, Ballyfin, Ballylinan and The Heath.

Round 2 Reviews

SFC Qualifers Section Round 2

Clonaslee St.Manman’s vs Stradbally on Thursday August 8th in Laois Hire O’Moore Park

Clonaslee St.Manman’s: 1-11 (14)
Stradbally: 1-5 (8)

Standout Players:

Clonaslee St.Manman’s:

The lively combination up front of Niall Corbett (0-4) and Cathal Lee (1-4) was brilliant to watch as they dominated attack with accurate passes to eachother and pace to beat markers which set up each others and teammates scores. Corbett’s first score was really excellent from a very tight angle. Lee was readily available in attack, with runs into pockets of space to recieve lovely passes from Corbett. In defence, the alert James Dunne showed great awareness, always out in front to intercept passes and collected any loose ball. Full back Jack Owens with strength, vitally won a few high balls from Stradbally into the box, to prevent danger.

Stradbally:

Jack Deegan (0-2) was excellent. Although off injured with 20 minutes left, he was Stradbally’s standout performer. His 1st score a lovely point from play off his left foot to curl it over the bar. After being set up by Gary Comerford who jumped high to win a kickout in midfield. Comerford also was unlucky not to score a goal, denied by a great save from Darragh Mullhall. Deegan’s 2nd score was from a mark which he came out in front to win. Deegan then made a great tackle on Will Young to turn possession over in midfield. This same play led to a David Donohue point from free. In defence, Eoin Buggie put in a good effort and worked hard.

SFC Qualifier Round 2:

Killeshin vs Ballyfin on Friday August 9th in Laois Hire O’Moore Park

Killeshin: 4-17 (29)
Ballyfin: 0-11 (11)

Standout players:

Killeshin:

Were relentless in attack to score 2-3 in 5 minutes, never letting up. Michael Doran set up Michael Gaffney with the 1st goal. David Mahon with pace from the outset, had a great goal effort saved by Eoin Connolly. Eoin Lowry (total 1-8) got a point and set up Evan Lowry (total 2-4) for the 2nd goal, with Evan scoring a free also. Evan English (0-3) scored an incredible point from play from a difficult angle. After that fast start, English excellently won a mark and scored. The combination of the 2 Lowry’s continued to be stunningly effective. Standout play was Evan from outside the 45, with a wonderful kick pass off the outside of his boot, curling straight into the hands of Eoin who from out wide, won the mark and scored it.

Ballyfin:

Ciaran Culleton produced some really impressive moments. First, an immense run with pace all the way up the field, which began from the back line to just outside the 45 line, beating all markers in his way and then layed off to Allan Connolly (0-2) who finished with composure and accuracy for a well worked point from play. Culleton also made a strong tackle on Eoin Lowry to win back possession and create a turnover. Goalkeeper Eoin Connolly made 2 fantastic point blank range, one on one saves to deny David Mahon and Jack Milton. The talented and reliable scorer Sean Moore was in his usual good attacking form, with pin point accuracy from dead balls. (0-7, 2 from play)

SFC Round 2 Winners

Ballyroan Abbey vs Rosenallis on Saturday August 10th in Laois Hire O’Moore Park

Ballyroan Abbey: 2-17 (23)
Rosenallis: 0-6 (6)

Standout players:

Ballyroan Abbey:

Davin McEvoy (Total 1-5) was top scorer on the night and put in great effort in trying to find the back of the net. His 1st goal effort on an open goal, was unlucky to hit the post. He scored his 1st goal of the night on his 2nd attempt at goal, with a brilliant finish. In the 2nd half, his 3rd goal attempt smashed the upright of the crossbar. He also excellently won himself and scored a free. Shaun Fitzpatrick (0-1) contributed greatly and played a big role to set up his sides 2 goals. Full back Conor Brennan worked hard and made it very difficult for Rosenallis to break through, with 3 vital interceptions from long balls in and when he was up to attack, scored a point from play.

Rosenallis:

Jack Claffey (0-4) was superb in attack, with an abundance of speed and ability both on and off the ball, to beat markers throughout. He made lovely anitipcated runs to recieve passes in good scoring positions and was accurate in scoring from both play and from frees when the opportunity presented itself. Full back Colin Bennet made a super shoulder tackle on Martin Scully on the sideline to win back possession in the form of a sideline ball. Joey Shelly was electric, made a bursting run from the half forward line and went on the attack down the sideline. His play resulted in him winning the free. In the same play, Shelly then collected a pass and scored a point from play, out wide.

SFC Round 2 Winners

Arles Killeen vs Courtwood on Saturday August 10th in Laois Hire O’Moore Park

Arles Killeen: 3-8 (17)
Courtwood: 0-13 (13)

Standout Players

Arles Killeen:

Donie Kingston was very proficient in midfield, with strength to win ball. His goal was a piece of wonderful skill, jumping full stretch to prevent the ball going out of play as it almost got ahead of him and then preceded to finish into the net. Kingston won a free, kickout and kicked long passes to set up his teammates. He won a lovely high ball in the corner from Sean O’Shea (who set up 2 goals) to pass off to Colin Dunne, who in the middle was quick to react to get the opening goal. With immense pace all game, Dunne’s 2-2 from play came from speedy runs forward. Out wide with a curling outside of the boot kick, Dunne set up Sean O’Shea’s goal effort off the crossbar too. O’Shea put in an overall classy performance.

Courtwood:

Early on, Niall Donoher set up Ryan Little with point from play. Donoher won a kickout also in the next play. Donoher then had a goal chance as result of an outstanding run through the defence in the final 10 minutes of the game. Cian Doyle set up the full forwards with precise passes in, scored a free and 2 points from play. Alan Kinsella was a danger in front of goal, with his 1st goal effort saved very well by Jason Enright and his second goal effort as he bore down on goal, prevented only by strong defensive work. The talented Ryan Little (0-4) was full of class throughout and played with a great rate of energy. he won a kickout and free all in the one move, set up Kinsella’s goal chances & scored brilliant points from play, near the 45.

SFC Qualifiers Round 2

St.Josephs vs Ballylinan: in Ratheniska on Saturday August 10th

St.Joseph’s: 2-17 (23)
Ballylinan: 0-6 (6)

Standout players:

St.Joseph’s:

Josh O’Brien (0-4) had a great game. He excellently won a mark and pointed it. He registered 3 points from play also and had a vital role in setting up Oisin Hooney’s brilliant goal, with a lovely long ball kicked into Hooney. Hooney (1-0) with rapid turns to evade defenders, finished this great move when he struck for goal. Ian Shanahan made a direct impact as a sub to set up Eoghan O’Flaherty’s (1-2) goal. Cormac Murphy (0-3) was a tower of strength in midfield, notching some wonderful scores from distance.

Ballylinan:

Andy McEvoy had a lively game here again at corner forward and he scored a total 0-3 (1 free, 2 from play). 2 of these points from play, he scored within the opening 10 minutes of the game to level the scoring after 2 early St.Joseph’s scores and McEvoy was both quick and excellent to respond. McEvoy was Ballylinan’s standout performer in Round 1 vs Portlaoise and followed this up again here. Half forward Ciaran Burke scored a lovely point from play and goalkeeper Tom Wright was accurate from the 45.

SFC Round 2 Winners

Emo vs Portlaoise: on Sunday August 11th in Laois Hire O’Moore Park

Emo: 3-14 (23)
Portlaoise: 5-13 (28)

Standout players:

Emo:

Paddy Hosey (2-6) was both accurate and fearless in front of goal. Even though Ross Meredith (0-1) registered just the 1 score, his contribution of work on and off the ball was exceptional, that resulted in his teammates scores. Ross Meredith’s ability and strength to beat markers running with the ball, set up Paddy Hosey’s opening score and Meredith then himself had a great goal chance saved by Frank Flanagan shortly after. Ross Meredith in combination with Paul Lalor (who also scored a stunning goal) and Nigel Murphy, played fast passing moves that helped open up the Portlaoise defence for opportunities. Meredith then set up Hosey with Emo’s 2nd goal.

Portlaoise:

DJ White (1-1) had a brilliant game. Played a big part in the 3 out of 5 goals scored. His goal was a superb, strong shot that went in under the inside of the crossbar. He set up 2 other goals. With his speed on the ball, played a big role in and done the hard work for Portlaoise’s first goal by Paul Cahilliane. White’s catching ability and pace again, combined with a lovely kick pass into Kieran Lillis, set up Damon Larkin for Portlaoise’s 4th goal. Conor Brown ultimately sealed the win for Portlaoise with an outstanding goalkeeping display of great reflexes & strong hands, to stop 3 certain Emo goal chances which would have changed the outcome of the game.

SFC Round 2 Winners

Graiguecullen vs Portarlington: on Sunday August 11th in Laois Hire O’Moore Park

Result (After Extra Time)

Graiguecullen: 0-20 (20)
Portarlington: 1-15 (18)

Standout players:

Graiguecullen:

Ben Dorgan shone as a dominant midfielder, set up scores, sent a lovely kick passes into Conor Kelly to score and won alot of ball in midfield throughout. Lee Walker was very impressive, with defensive interceptions as he tracked back, won frees, and finished with 0-2. Conor Kelly was constantly lively with great marks taken and scores throughout (0-12, 4 mark’s, 8 frees). Aaron Dorgan displayed wonderful high catching and kicking ability. He won a kickout and with a massive kick, scored a point from play in the one move. Jack Byrne (0-2) in extra time still displayed an energetic performance, provding pace and crucial scores in extra time alongside contribution in setting up Lee Walker for a point from play.

Portarlington:

Rioghan Murphy (0-3) continues to be in firing form in attack, turning left and right and using dummies with pace to avoid tackles and kicks fantastic scores himself from difficult angles, alongside being the playmaker and getting involved in teammates scores. Jake Foster (0-2) and Ronan Coffey (0-4) set up Jordan Fitpatrick’s goal and both players displayed good awareness to break into small pockets of space to recieve passes in attack and score. Darragh Galvin (0-3) was out in front of his marker for every ball sent into him. Alex Mahon put in a great shift at half back, with a block down on a kick pass from Mark Timmons in midfield and intercepted passes for turnovers, plus helped out in attack.

SFC Round 2 Qualifiers

O’Dempseys vs The Heath: in Ratheniska on Sunday August 11th

O’Dempseys: 1-11 (14)
The Heath: 0-11 (11)

Standout players:

O’Dempseys:

O’Dempseys were quick off the mark with 1-3 in 7 minutes. Mark Barry, a regular goal threat, scored 1-2 of these. Full back Adam O’Leary was always on the run up the field and worked tirelessly, he set up Mark Barry’s goal from one of these runs. Fionn Holland was very lively with a good contribution rate. With an interception in midfield, this resulted in a score and he helped set up Tony Kelly’s excellent point from play from distance. Barry Kelly (0-1) was efficient when carrying the ball. Matthew Finlay (0-2) returned from injury on a positive note and seconds after he was introduced, won frees and scored a free. He then got a great point from play from out wide.

The Heath:

The Heath admirably responded to this early setback with resilience and work rate, to level the scoring 1-3 to 0-6 at 18 minutes. Courtesy of Daithi Carroll, PJ Daly and Brian Nugent. Neil Keane played very well, with 0-2, won a free, & made an interception in defence. Dennis Booth was very solid in defence with physical strength, cutting out a fast passing O’Dempseys attacking move and won a free out to clear the danger. Standout moment of the 2nd half was when posession built up from defence, Jimmy Nerney carried on through midfield, then kicked a perfectly accurate and high ball into the box for Ciaran Booth (0-1), who done really well to find space out wide and score from a difficult angle.