Laois Shopping Centre SFC Relegation Semi Final Courtwood v Rosenallis
In LOETB Centre of Excellence at 7.30pm
It is the semi final that nobody wants to be in – but yet this is where both Courtwood and Rosenallis find themselves.
Courtwood are here after defeats to both O’Dempsey’s and Killeshin in their opening two matches.
Newly promoted Rosenallis were far more competitive in their two games – going down narrowly to Ballyfin and Ballylinan respectively.
They have found it hard to get scores but will be anxious to put football to bed this year by winning this ahead of next weekend’s hurling semi final.
Both of these teams are the most recent intermediate champions and will be desperate not to drop back into that grade.
They will have a second chance regardless – and Rosenallis may be the team who need that second chance as Courtwood’s firepower in Alan Kinsella, Cian Doyle, Danny Luttrell and Niall Donoher – as well as the returned from suspension Luke Doran – should be too much.
Verdict – Courtwood
Laois Shopping Centre IFC Quarter Final Mountmellick v Portlaoise
In Annanough at 7.30pm
The two beaten intermediate semi finalists from 2019 meet in a winner takes all encounter in Annanough this evening.
Mountmellick lost Round 1 after extra time against Clonaslee and then suffered a hangover from that defeat in Round 2 against Annanough where they needed two late goals to prevail.
Portlaoise’s second team are always very competitive and they saw off O’Dempsey’s second team in Round 1 before taking a big beating from the favourites Crettyard.
That result landed them here but they are certainly not without hope against a Mountmellick team that tends to blow hot and cold at times.
Nevertheless, the Annanough performance may be the wake up call Annanough needed and if the likes of Colm Coss and Niall Mullen are firing – that may be enough.
Verdict – Mountmellick
Laois Shopping Centre IFC Quarter Final O’Dempsey’s v The Rock
In Portarlington at 7.30pm
The 2019 Junior champions O’Dempsey’s have settled into life rather well at this grade.
Beaten by Portlaoise in Round 1, they were rampant against Timahoe in Round 2 and condemned them to their second relegation final in a row.
Peter O’Leary is flying at centre forward having been regraded last year with young players like Jack Lennon, Derek Dunne and Eoghan Nerney catching the eye.
But The Rock too have been much improved this year and they followed their big Round 1 win over Annanough with a battling performane against Clonaslee where they just lost out to a late Niall Corbet-inspired surge.
Victor Oladapo has been extremely impressive in the two games while Aaron Dowling, Stephen McDonald and Sean O’Neill have shone likewise.
The Rock are favourites and they may just have that bit much.
Verdict – The Rock
The post Previewing Friday night’s Laois GAA football championship action appeared first on Laois Today.
source https://www.laoistoday.ie/2020/09/18/previewing-friday-nights-laois-gaa-football-championship-action/
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