Town topple O’Dempsey’s but bad injury overshadows good win

O’Dempsey’s 1-10 Portlaoise 3-8
Laois Shopping Centre Intermediate Football Championship Round 1 

Portlaoise will face Crettyard in Round 2 of the winners section of the intermediate championship following a four point win over O’Dempsey’s in the LOETB Centre of Excellence this evening.

However, the meeting between the two teams was marred by a very serious knee injury which was picked up by Portlaoise forward Jack Brown.

The full forward, who kicked two points, was hurt after falling awkwardly and the game was eventually moved from Pitch 1 to Pitch 3 as the stricken Brown awaited an ambulance. When the game ended, he still lay on the field and all here at LaoisToday wish him a speedy recovery.

The game itself was the meeting of the only two ‘second teams’ in the competition and it was a lively enough affair with a good mix of youth and experience on show.

The opening minutes of the half saw very little scores as the team’s organised defence kept their opposing forwards from scoring. However, the game burst into life when Portlaoise got their first score of the game with a goal.

Portlaoise worked the ball swiftly up the field through the hands before Ben Conroy laid the ball off to Niall Carey who blasted the ball home. Jack Brown and Sam Murphy Kerry pointed to extend their lead soon after.

O’Dempsey’s began to gain possession around the middle of the pitch thanks to efforts from Liam Whelehen and Derek Dunne in midfield. As a result, the Killenard men began to chip away at Portlaoise’s lead with points from Daithi Howlin, Eoghan Nerney and Whelehen leaving four points separating the sides at the water break – Portlaoise 1-4 O’Dempsey’s 0-3.

O’Dempsey’s continued to put pressure on Portlaoise as Peter O’ Leary converted a long range free on the resumption.

Portlaoise responded quickly with a goal from Aaron Rafter. Ben Brennan drove through the heart of the O’Dempsey’s defence and passed the ball to Ben Conroy who then found Rafter inside the box with a handpass and he blasted the ball into the net.

O’Dempsey’s never gave up though and battled their way back into the game with points from Whelehen and Jack Lennon.

However, Portlaoise added a third goal to their tally via Jonathan Rafter when Jack Brown played a diagonal ball across the box where he found the on rushing Rafter in space and he buried it low into the corner of the net giving Portlaoise a comprehensive lead at the break – 3-4 to 0-6.

The second half got underway with a point from Ben Brennan before O’Dempsey’s scored a goal of their own.

O’Dempsey’s worked the ball through the heart of the Portlaoise defence via O’Leary, Whelehen and Pat Maher. The trio quickly interchanged the ball before O’Leary found space and time on the edge of the box to smash it into the net.

After the break following the injury to the aforementioned Brown, Colin Finn and O’Leary swapped points. Further points from O’Leary and Maher cut the deficit to four with minutes remaining. But Portlaoise became very resolute at the back blocking up the middle of the pitch ensuring their win.

O’Dempsey’s failed to reduce Portloaise’s lead any further and they will face Timahoe next where the loser will head for the relegation decider.

SCORERS – O’Dempsey’s: Peter O’Leary 1-3, Liam Whelehan and Jack Lennon 0-2 each, Daithi Howlin, Eoghan Nerney and Pat Maher 0-1 each Portlaoise: Aaron Rafter 1-2, Johnathan Rafter 1-1, Niall Carey 1-0, Jack Brown 0-2, Sam Murphy Kerry, Colin Finn and Ben Brennan 0-1 each

O’DEMPSEY’S: Eugene Nolan; Eoghan Fitzpatrick, Aidan McClernan, Mark Cassidy; Ciaran McManus, Tommy Kehoe, Paddy McCormack; Liam Whelehan, Derek Dunne; Daithi Howlin, Peter O’Leary, Jack Lennon; Pat Maher, Darren Finlay, Eoghan Nerney. Subs: Eoin Finlay for Cassidy (ht), Chris McCormack for D Finlay (40)

PORTLAOISE: Michael O’Connell; Dean Lynch, Chris Lynch, Murray Rogers; Sam Murphy-Kerry, Colin Finn, Niall Carey; Andrew Swayne, Ross Brennan; Ben Conroy, Ben Brennan, John Rafter; Aaron Rafter, Jack Brown, Craig Rogers. Subs: Eoin Carey for Murphy-Kerry (ht), Michael Nerney for Browne (40, inj)

Referee: Tom Kennedy (Killeshin)

SEE ALSO – Check out all our Laois IFC coverage her

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