Maher double proves decisive as Portlaoise retain their title

A GOAL in either half from corner forward Ricky Maher saw Portlaoise retain their Laois SFC title in O’Moore Park yesterday.

It was a 34th title in all for the Laois kingpins, and they were full value for the victory. However, they were made to battle all the way by a well-drilled O’Dempsey’s side who caused them plenty of problems.

Portlaoise had started brightly and were 0-5 to 0-3 ahead by the midpoint of the first half, with both teams having wasted presentable goal-scoring chances by then. Maher struck for his first goal in the 18th minute, his soccer-style shot from the edge of the penalty area going in via the post. A Gareth Dillon point moments later then put them seven clear.

O’Dempsey’s battled back superbly though, with points from Míchael Finlay twice and Mark Barry narrowing the gap, before Barry set up Dan McCormack for a goal. The Killenard men were just a point in arrears now, but Paul Cahillane curled over a couple of frees to see Portlaoise lead 1-10 to 1-7 at the break.

After a cagey opening ten minutes to the second half, Maher bundled home his second goal of the game in the 41st minute, and Portlaoise never looked back, going ten clear at one stage.

O’Dempsey’s again did their utmost to claw it back, shaving four points off the lead in the closing stages, but Portlaoise held on for a deserved victory.