Portlaoise 2-16

O’Dempsey’s 1-13

Ricky Maher scored a goal in each half as Portlaoise captured a 34th Laois SFC title at O'Dempsey's expense in O'Moore Park.

O'Dempsey's were appearing in their first final since 1983, but never looked like dethroning 'The Town', who have now won a remarkable 11 titles in 12 years.

The challengers led by 0-3 to 0-2 after 10 minutes and would have been further ahead had All Star nominated goalkeeper Graham Brody not pulled off a super save to deny Matthew Finlay. Following that let-off, Malachy McNulty's charges reeled off 1-5 without reply, with Maher raising his first green flag in the 18th minute.

Portlaoise's Paul Cahillane and David Holland raise the Laois SFC trophy. ©INPHO/Ken Sutton.

Full forward Dan McCormack pulled a goal back for O’Dempsey’s to leave them trailing by three points, 1-7 to 1-10, when Maurice Deegan sounded his short whistle.

But the outcome was effectively settled in the 39th minute when man of the match Maher grabbed his second goal. Portlaoise powered into a 10-point lead thereafter before a gallant O'Dempsey's got it back to six at full-time.

Portlaoise - G Brody (0-1f); Colin Finn, D Seale, G Saunders; Chris Finn, C Healy, D Holland; C McEvoy, K Lillis (0-1); G Dillon (0-1), C Boyle (0-3), B Carroll; R Maher (2-2, 0-1f), P Cahillane (0-5, 3f), C Rogers (0-2, 1f). Subs: S Lawless (0-1) for C McEvoy, F Flanagan for Colin Finn, C Dunphy for B Carroll.

O’Dempsey's - P Bannon; C O’Hora, S Nerney, T Kehoe; R Kehoe, P O’Leary, T Kelly; R Bracken, C Meredith (0-1); Matthew Finlay (0-5, 3f), B Kelly (0-2), M Barry (0-3, 2f); Micheal Finlay (0-2), D McCormack (1-0), B Nugent. Subs: J Kelly for B Nugent, S O’Leary for M Barry.

Referee - M Deegan.

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