Remember The Game: DCU topple Laois in 2009 O’Byrne Cup opener

Laois 1-13 DCU 1-14
2009 O’Byrne Cup Round 1

Sean Dempseys reign as Laois senior football manager didnt start off the way he would of liked at McCann Park in Portarlington.

Laois did have several household names in their ranks as did DCU.

Mark Timmons and Ross Munnelly are the only two players still involved with Laois this year.

AFL star Zach Tuohy, Donie Brennan and Padraig Clancy all started in this game for Laois.

2006 All-Star, Conor Mortimer of Mayo, 6-time All-Ireland winner, Paddy Andrews of Dublin and 2012 All-Ireland winner, Michael Boyle from Donegal were all starters for DCU on the day.

Laois only led once in the game when Colm Kelly and Peter O’Leary pointed early on after Conor Mortimer opened the scoring.

The college side were leading by three at the half way mark, 0-7 to 0-4.

Billy Sheehan and Ross Munnelly pulled Laois back to within one point early in the second half but could never draw level.

A Martin McIlroy goal pushed DCU four ahead after a mix-up in the Laois defense.

After swapping points, Donie Brennans well taken goal brought Laois within one point yet again, but like earlier in the encounter Laois couldnt tie the game up.

LAOIS: Michael Nolan (Portlaoise), Cathal Ryan (Portarlington), Mark Timmons (Graiguecullen), Rory Stapleton (Annanough), Peter O’Leary (O’Dempseys), Ger Reddin (Mountmellick), Padraig McMahon (Ballyroan-Abbey), Padraig Clancy (Timahoe), Michael Hand (Graiguecullen), Billy Sheehan (Emo), Donie Brennan (Arles-Killeen), Zach Tuohy (Portlaoise), Michael Tierney (Ballyroan-Abbey), Colm Kelly (Stradbally), Ross Munnelly (Arles-Killeen). Subs: Brendan Quigley (Timahoe) for Hand, Ambrose Doran (Graiguecullen) for Kelly, Damien Murphy (Stradbally) for Timmons, Darren Strong (Emo) for McMahon, Jason Horan (Ballyfin) for Clancy, Chris Bergin (The Heath) for Munnelly.

DCU: Michael Boyle (Donegal), Declan Walsh (Donegal), Ciaran Walsh (Westmeath), Hugh Gill (Dublin), Barry Waters (Cavan), Paddy Andrews (Dublin), Ronan Flanagan (Cavan), Kevin Reilly (Meath), Ray Cullivan (Cavan), David Keenan (Roscommon), Michael Lyng (Cavan), Rory Maguire (Meath), Conor Mortimer (Mayo), Brian Sheridan (Meath), Martin McIlroy (Monaghan). Subs: Chris Guckian (Dublin) for Gill, Martin McIlhinney (Donegal) for Lyng, Cathal Cregg (Roscommon) for Waters, Willie Mulhall (Offally) for Keenan, Brian McArdle for Mortimer.

Michael John Tierney, Laois contests this ball with Christopher Guckian, DCU in the O’Byrne Cup at Portarlington.
Picture: Alf Harvey.

Billy Sheehan controls this ball for Laois against Ronan Flanagan, DCU in the O’Byrne Cup at Portarlington.
Picture: Alf Harvey.

Padraig McMahon rises for a ball for Laois against Rory Maguire, DCU in the O’Byrne Cup at Portarlington.
Picture: Alf Harvey.

Brendan Quigley gets his hand in to win this ball for Laois against Ronan Flanagan and Ray Cullivan, DCU in the O’Byrne Cup at Portarlington.
Picture: Alf Harvey.

Zach Tuohy claims this ball for Laois against Barry Waters, DCU in the O’Byrne Cup at Portarlington.
Picture: Alf Harvey.

The small attendance watch on as Laois play DCU in the O’Byrne Cup at Portarlington.
Picture: Alf Harvey.

Mark Timmons clears for Laois against Brian Sheridan, DCU in the O’Byrne Cup at Portarlington.
Picture: Alf Harvey.

The Laois management watch on against DCU in the O’Byrne Cup at Portarlington.
Picture: Alf Harvey.

Michael Hand wins this ball for Laois against Ray Cullivan, DCU in the O’Byrne Cup at Portarlington.
Picture: Alf Harvey.

 

SEE ALSO – New Laois hurling team for 2020 as neighbouring clubs vote to amalgamate fully

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source https://www.laoistoday.ie/2020/01/11/remember-the-game-dcu-topple-laois-in-2009-obyrne-cup-opener/