Previewing all of Saturday’s Laois GAA action

It’s another big day of Laois club football action with championship games for decision in both the senior and intermediate grades.

Laois Shopping Centre SFC R2 Losers Section – Stradbally v St Joseph’s
In MW Hire O’Moore Park at 3pm

These two last met in a contentious quarter final two years ago which St Joseph’s won by two points.

Stradbally had to play 35 minutes of the game with 14 men after Jamie Kavanagh’s dismissal but they pushed St Joseph’s all the way before they prevailed to reach the semi final.

Both teams come into this game off the back of defeats – albeit St Joseph’s loss is almost four weeks ago.

They were two points up in injury time when Diarmuid Whelan scored a very late goal to break their hearts.

Stradbally pushed Portarlington throughout the game but just faded near the end in their defeat.

Whoever loses here is out and both sides have injury concerns over two of their county men – Eoin Buggie (Stradbally) and Michael Keogh (St Joseph’s) but Stradbally will have Benny Lawlor back from suspension.

It will be tight, but St Joseph’s might pip it.

Verdict – St Joseph’s

Laois Shopping Centre SFC R2 Winners Section – Portlaoise v Portarlington
In the MW Hire O’Moore Park at 5pm

Portlaoise and Portarlington are set to square off in the Laois senior football championship for the second time in 12 months in O’Moore Park this evening.

They last met in the 2019 semi final and it really was a classic between the two best teams in the competition.

Portarlington, seeking to reach a first final in 18 years, had led by six points at the break but Portlaoise stormed back in the second half to lead by two.

Port fought back again to take the lead only for a Brian McCormack point, which brought his tally to 1-6, level the sides again. Then Gareth Dillon popped up with the winner and Damon Larkin made sure of it a couple of minutes later.

It was a dramatic second half which saw referee Michael Tarpey brandish three red cards and play 13 minutes of injury time.

A number of players who played 12 months ago are unlikely to be involved today.

For Portlaoise, Michael Nolan, Brian Mulligan and Bruno McCormack have all retired, Colin Finn is playing intermediate while there are injury concerns around Brian Glynn and Benny Carroll.

Portarlington’s star forward Colm Murphy limped off in the win against Stradbally and would have to be a major doubt for them. Alex Mohan will be back from suspension but Paddy O’Sullivan is still abroad.

Whoever loses today will still have another chance and perhaps Portlaoise may win once again. But don’t rule out extra time.

Verdict: Portlaoise

Laois Shopping Centre SFC R2 Losers Section – Ballylinan v Rosenallis
In the LOETB Centre of Excellence at 7pm

The final senior game of the day may well see a real clash of styles as Rosenallis and Ballylinan meet.

Rosenallis, just up from intermediate, played an open and free-flowing style in their narrow one point defeat to Ballyfin in Round 1.

While Ballylinan were far more structured and defensive – making life difficult but ultimately going down to county champions Portlaoise.

Gary Walsh received a nasty facial injury in that game but if he has fully recovered, Ballylinan’s experience at this level might be the

Verdict – Ballylinan

Laois Shopping Centre IFC R2 Winners Section – Clonaslee v The Rock
In Mountmellick at 6pm

A chance to become the first team through to the semi finals of the intermediate football championship is up for grabs as Clonaslee face The Rock.

Clonaslee went all the way to extra time where they came back from the dead twice to defeat Mountmellick.

It was much more straight forward for The Rock as they turned on the style to see off Annanough in the same venue as this game this evening.

But Clonaslee are one of the favourites for this game and they should win this.

Verdict – Clonaslee

SEE ALSO – Charlie Flanagan among the new directors of cross-border peace-keeping charity Co-operation Ireland

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source https://www.laoistoday.ie/2020/09/05/previewing-all-of-saturdays-laois-gaa-action-2/