Portlaoise 2 Kilnamanagh 2
Leinster Senior League Division 1B
Portlaoise were denied a win a vital away win when a late own goal forced them to settle for a 2-2 draw against Kilnamanagh in the Leinster Senior League this morning.
The Dublin side sit 10th in the table but have an impeccable home record, having won four and drawn two before this one. However, it was Portlaoise who had the better of the early exchanges and they were desperately unlucky not to take the lead.
Striker Colm Poole went close but his drive came back off the underside of the crossbar while Aaron Rafter was similarly unfortunate when his low shot cannoned back off the foot of the post.
Portlaoise were caught with a sucker punch in the 41st minute when a long ball was flicked on and the Kilnamanagh striker outmuscled Eoghan White before firing low into the net to make it 1-0 at the break.
The home side dominated the 15 minute period after the break and keeper Mateusz Cwienk had to be alert to thwart a number of goalbound efforts.
Portlaoise needed a spark to get themselves back in the tie and it arrived in the 69th minute when Jimmy Dermody cut in on his left foot and rifled a shot into the top corner.
The away side had their tails up now and they took the lead six minutes later. A long throw from Dermody was cut back into the path of Paul Cahillane by substitute Robbie Ging and he produced a cultured finish to leave the keeper with no chance.
Portlaoise had a few more chances to increase their advantage but they failed to take them and they were made pay for those three minutes from time. A cross from the left flank wasn’t cut out and the ball deflected into his own net by the unfortunate Jimmy Dermody.
Substitute Niall Doran had a chance to snatch a late winner for Portlaoise but his header from a Paul Cahillane free kick just went agonisingly over the bar.
Portlaoise return to Rossleighan Park next Friday after three weeks on the road for a top of the table clash with Inchicore.
The Laois side find themselves in second place in Division 1B of the Leinster Senior League after this weekend’s action. Only goal difference separates them from Inchicore at the top so Friday’s match presents a real opportunity for Portlaoise to set up an exciting end to the season should they win.
PORTLAOISE AFC:
Mateusz Cwienk
James Mullaney
Eoghan White
Mark Brennan
Oisin Fitzpatrick
Jimmy Dermody
Emmanuel Okpara
Paul Cahillane
Colm Poole
Aaron Rafter
Mark Dunne
Subs:
Robbie Ging for Dunne (50mins)
Martin Staunton for Okpara (55mins)
Niall Doran for Fitzpatrick (88mins)
