Portlaoise CBS 1-19 St Peter’s Wexford 2-8
South Leinster Colleges SFC ‘B’ Round 1
Portlaoise CBS made a winning start in the first round of the South Leinster Senior ‘B’ football championship yesterday.
That is after they ran out comprehensive winners over St Peter’s of Wexford in Portlaoise.
A super second half display proved the difference as they emerged convincing eight point winners in the end.
Annanough’s Oran Darcy opened the scoring after a through ball from clubmate Sean Tuohy found him out in space.
Portlaoise CBS continued to press and won two frees which were converted by Darcy and Portlaoise’s Darren Brennan.
Further points from Courtwood’s Tadgh Slattery and O’Dempsey’s Ethan Neilon (2) left the score 0-7 to 0-2 after 20 minutes.
From here, St Peters had a purple patch, winning kickouts and scoring 1-2 without reply.
Outstanding defending from Dan Downey (Park-Ratheniska), Harry Browne (The Heath) and Sean Powders (Portlaoise) led to numerous turnovers which launched more CBS attacks that ended in two points from David Timmons and a Conor O’Callaghan free.
The half-time score was 0-9 to 1-4 but the second half was a much more open game and CBS, led by Captain Darren Brennan, scored the opening point of the second half.
This was immediately followed by a David Timmons goal after great work from Conor O’Callaghan.
A great spread of scores from Timmons, Tuohy, Neilon, Joe Larkin, Darcy, Slattery, Brennan and sub Jack Murphy saw out the game.
St. Peter’s battled to the end but man of the match Dan Downey excelled at centre back for the CBS.
Portlaoise CBS will be away to Wexford CBS in their next game and then finish at home to Bunclody in their final group match.
They must finish in the top two positions in order to make the semi final.
PORTLAOISE CBS: Conor Dunne (Portlaoise); Harry Browne (The Heath), Sean Powders (Portlaoise), Davy Delaney (Portlaoise); Cormac Deegan (Annanough), Dan Downey (Park-Ratheniska), Eoghan Deegan (Annanough); Joe Larkin (Stradbally), Darren Brennan (Portlaoise); Sean Tuohy (Annanough), Tadgh Slattery (Courtwood), David Timmons (Portlaoise); Oran Darcy (Annanough), Conor O’Callaghan (Portlaoise), Ethan Neilon (O’Dempsey’s). Subs: Ciaran Donoghue (Emo) for Cormac Deegan, Barry Connolly (Park-Ratheniska) for Ethan Neilon, Jack Murphy (Emo) for Sean Tuohy, Aaron McCormack (Portlaoise) for Tadgh Slattery, Conor McCaul (Annanough) for Oran Darcy.
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