LAOIS SFC Final Portlaoise 2-14 Timahoe 1-7:A SECOND-half goal from Peter McNulty proved to be the turning point as Portlaoise claimed their 25th Laois senior football crown at Timahoe's expense in O'Moore Park yesterday.
The back-to-back county champions dominated the second half but only after McNulty blasted a shot to the net after 44 minutes.
Until the latter's goal only a point separated the sides after Timahoe's Willie Lalor scored a penalty soon after half-time. But another goal, this time a fortunate effort from Kieran Lillis, ended the game as a contest. Earlier three points from midfielder Brian McCormack helped Portlaoise lead 0-9 to 0-5 at the interval.
PORTLAOISE:M Nolan; M McNulty, C Healy, A Fennelly; B Mulligan, T Fitzgerald, K Lillis (1-0); B McCormack (0-3), S McManus; C Parkinson (0-3), B Fitzgerald (0-3), Z Tuohy; P McNulty (1-3), C Rogers (0-2), K Fitzpatrick. Subs: S Cotter for McManus (41 mins), E Bland for M McNulty (58 mins), B Smith for Tuohy (59 mins), J Delaney for Mulligan (60 mins).
TIMAHOE:R Headen; J Lowry, R Jones, J O'Connor; P Kelly, M Bergin, J Whelehan; P Clancy (0-1), B Quigley; B O'Connell (0-1, free), M Delaney (0-1), S Ramsbottom; R O'Connor (0-1), E Culleton, W Lalor (1-3, three frees). Subs: J Conlon for Delaney (40 mins), M O'Connor for J O'Connor (53 mins), C McEvoy for Culleton (57 mins), PJ Kelly for R O'Connor (57 mins), K Bergin for Ramsbottom (60 mins).
Referee:E Kinsella (Courtwood)
