Keeper Browne the hero as Portlaoise CBS advance to U-16 South Leinster semi final

Portlaoise CBS 2-9 Carlow CBS 1-9 (AET)
Top Oil Schools South Leinster ‘B’ Football Championship Quarter Final

Portlaoise CBS goalkeeper Conor Browne was their hero as his extra time penalty save helped them to a three point win over Carlow CBS in Carlow this year.

After claiming South-Leinster ‘C’ glory at U-16 level last year, the school are now through to the semi final of the ‘B’ at the same age group.

But it was far from plain-sailing for Paul Cahillane, Geoff Brennan and Killian Fitzpatrick’s team as they looked dead and buried at one stage in the second half.

They got off to a great start with a Colin McEvoy point in the opening minutes but the hosts took over after that.

They scored 1-4 without reply to open up a six point lead midway through the first half.

Sean Downey grabbed Portlaoise’s second point of the game but that would be it for the first half as Carlow CBS added another to lead 1-5 to 0-2 at the break.

Carlow extended their lead to seven points on the resumption of play but Portlaoise roared back into the affair as Brian Smith scored a free and then a great goal in quick succession to cut the deficit to three.

Carlow CBS replied with a brace of points but Portlaoise had their tails up and midfielder Liam Og Brennan struck for their second goal with DJ White adding a point to leave one in it.

And the same played then scored from an acute angle to send the game to extra time with the score at 2-5 to 1-8.

White added a brace in the first half of extra time to give the CBS a 2-7 to 1-8 advantage at half time in extra time.

Carlow CBS came out firing in the final half of extra time and had a great chance to go back ahead when they were awarded a penalty.

However, Portlaoise keeper Conor Browne pulled off a fantastic save to deny the Carlow attacker from the spot.

Carlow kept pushing with a point to narrow the gap to one but Smith and White were on hand to see Portlaoise CBS run out three point winners in the end.

So just like their senior team, the U-16s have a South Leinster semi final to look forward to in the coming weeks.

SCORERS – Portlaoise CBS: DJ White 0-5, Colin McEvoy 0-1, Sean Downey 0-1, Brian Smith 1-2 (one free), Liam Og Brennan 1-0

PORTLAOISE CBS: Conor Brown (Portlaoise); Jamie Preston (Portlaoise), Barry Fitzpatrick (Portlaoise), Jack Tobin (Portlaoise); Dylan Keyes (The Heath), Ben Reddin (Portlaoise), Ben Dempsey (Portlaoise), Colin McEvoy (Portlaoise); Liam Og Brennan (Portlaoise), Sean Downey (Emo), Josh Hogan (Portlaoise), Sam Birrane (Portlaoise), Brian Smith (Portlaoise), Aaron Brennan (Ballyroan-Abbey), DJ White (Portlaoise). Subs: James Devoy (Stradbally) for Downey

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source https://www.laoistoday.ie/2020/01/28/keeper-browne-the-hero-as-portlaoise-cbs-advance-to-u-16-south-leinster-semi-final/