Portlaoise 0-9 The Heath Gaels 0-7 2007 Laois U-21 FC Final
Portlaoise made it nine U-21 football titles in 12 years with an exciting final victory over The Heath Gaels in a closely contested game in Timahoe ten years ago.
This game was played a year later than it should have been after the whole competition was delayed after St Joseph’s-Barrowhouse and Portlaoise’s semi final was abandoned after a massive row.
The Heath Gaels technically already had their hands on the trophy at one point when both Portlaoise and St Joseph’s-Barrowhouse were thrown out of the 2007 edition.
But they were later reinstated and a replay was played a week before this game in December 2008, with Portlaoise winning easily on a score of 3-11 to 0-7.
The Heath Gaels were forced to play over half the game with 14 players as midfielder Cathal Og Greene was sent off late in the first half.
This was a major setback for The Gaels as Portlaoise took full advantage of the extra man.
Portlaoise played the extra man in front of The Heath’s danger man Daithi Carroll, starting every attack in their own half back line with the constant overlap causing problems for The Gaels.
Adrian Kelly put on a fantastic display in midfield, dominating all the aerial duals.
Portlaoise were always in front over the course of the game but The Heath stayed within touching distance all the way through.
The Gaels had good performers on the day with the best coming from Daithi Carroll but it was to be Portlaoise man Cahir Healy who put in a fantastic performance at centre back.
The Heath had a few goal chances to try and break Portlaoise hearts but Portlaoise held out and put the name on the cup for a ninth time in 12 years.
Check out some brilliant Alf Harvey pictures from the game below:
SCORERS – PORTLAOISE: Paul Cahillane 0-3 (all frees), Brian Smith 0-2, Zach Tuohy, Kieran Lillis and Craig Rogers 0-1 each THE HEATH GAELS: Daithi Carroll 0-4 (two frees), Nathan Carpenter 0-2, Kieran Delaney 0-1
Portlaoise: Colin Rochford; Paul Cotter, David Browne, Brian McCormack; Conor Boyle, Cahir Healy, Kieran Lillis; Brian Glynn, Adrian Kelly; Paul Cahillane, Craig Rogers, Dan Reddin; Christopher Mulhall, Zach Tuohy, Brian Smith. Subs: Jo Jo Salmon for Rodgers (28 mins – injured), Mark Kavanagh for McCormack (52 mins).
The Heath Gaels: Marty Dowling; James Furlong, Mark Delaney, Alan Dowling; Tony Connolly, Colin Neston, Benny Greene; Denis Booth, Cathal Og Greene; Liam Buggy, Kieran Delaney, Nathan Carpenter; Brendan Fingleton, Daithi Carroll, Kieran Hyland. Subs: Jimmy Nerney for B Greene (44 mins), Cathal Whelan for Hyland (52 mins), Ciaran Booth for Whelan (59 mins).
T. Connolly, The Heath Gaels takes on Brian Glynn and Danny Reddin, Portlaoise in the 2007 Under 21 Football Final at Timahoe. Picture: Alf Harvey.L. Buggy, The Heath Gaels takes on Danny Reddin, Portlaoise in the 2007 Under 21 Football Final at Timahoe. Picture: Alf Harvey.Colin Rochford comes out with this ball for Portlaoise against Mark Delaney, The Heath Gaels in the 2007 Under 21 Football Final at Timahoe. Picture: Alf Harvey.Denis Booth sets up an attack for The Heath Gaels against Zach Tuohy and David Browne, Portlaoise in the 2007 Under 21 Football Final at Timahoe. Picture: Alf Harvey.Paul Cotter, Portlaoise takes on C. Booth, The Heath Gaels in the 2007 Under 21 Football Final at Timahoe. Picture: Alf Harvey.Under 21 footballer for 2007 Paul Cotter, Portlaoise is presented with his award by Football Board chairman Larry Doone after the 2007 Under 21 Football Final at Timahoe. Picture: Alf Harvey.Portlaoise captain Craig Rogers makes his after match winning speech after the 2007 Under 21 Football Final at Timahoe. Picture: Alf Harvey.Portlaoise captain Craig Rogers makes his after match winning speech after the 2007 Under 21 Football Final at Timahoe. Picture: Alf Harvey.Portlaoise celebrate after winning the 2007 Under 21 Football Final at Timahoe. Picture: Alf Harvey.Portlaoise celebrate after winning the 2007 Under 21 Football Final at Timahoe. Picture: Alf Harvey.Portlaoise celebrate after winning the 2007 Under 21 Football Final at Timahoe. Picture: Alf Harvey.Portlaoise captain Craig Rogers with family after winning the 2007 Under 21 Football Final at Timahoe. Picture: Alf Harvey.Portlaoise who defeated The Heath Gaels in the 2007 Under 21 Football Final at Timahoe. Picture: Alf Harvey.The Heath Gaels who played Portlaoise in the 2007 Under 21 Football Final at Timahoe. Picture: Alf Harvey.Connor Boyle kicks through for Portlaoise against Denis Booth, The Heath Gaels in the 2007 Under 21 Football Final at Timahoe. Picture: Alf Harvey.Adrian Kelly claims this ball for Portlaoise against The Heath Gaels in the 2007 Under 21 Football Final at Timahoe. Picture: Alf Harvey.Christopher Mulhall on the ball for Portlaoise against N. Carpenter, The Heath Gaels in the 2007 Under 21 Football Final at Timahoe. Picture: Alf Harvey.Craig Rogers gathers for Portlaoise against Colin Nestor, The Heath Gaels in the 2007 Under 21 Football Final at Timahoe. Picture: Alf Harvey.Cathal Og Greene wins this ball for The Heath Gaels in the 2007 Under 21 Football Final at Timahoe. Picture: Alf Harvey.Zach Tuohy on the attack for Portlaoise against Mark Delaney, The Heath Gaels in the 2007 Under 21 Football Final at Timahoe. Picture: Alf Harvey.Brian Glynn passes for Portlaoise against The Heath Gaels in the 2007 Under 21 Football Final at Timahoe. Picture: Alf Harvey.T. Connolly wins this ball for The Heath Gaels against Danny Reddin, Portlaoise in the 2007 Under 21 Football Final at Timahoe. Picture: Alf Harvey.Portlaoise captain Craig Rogers nurses his facial injury against The Heath Gaels in the 2007 Under 21 Football Final at Timahoe. Picture: Alf Harvey.Portlaoise captain Craig Rogers nurses his facial injury against The Heath Gaels in the 2007 Under 21 Football Final at Timahoe. Picture: Alf Harvey.Daithi Carroll on the attack for The Heath Gaels against David Browne, Portlaoise in the 2007 Under 21 Football Final at Timahoe. Picture: Alf Harvey.Jo Jo Salmon holds on for Portlaoise against B. Fingleton, The Heath Gaels in the 2007 Under 21 Football Final at Timahoe. Picture: Alf Harvey.Connor Boyle wins this ball for Portlaoise against N. Carpenter, The Heath Gaels in the 2007 Under 21 Football Final at Timahoe. Picture: Alf Harvey.Cahir Healy, Portlaoise blocks down Daithi Carroll, The Heath Gaels in the 2007 Under 21 Football Final at Timahoe. Picture: Alf Harvey.Adrian Kelly claims this ball for Portlaoise against The Heath Gaels in the 2007 Under 21 Football Final at Timahoe. Picture: Alf Harvey.
