Portlaoise will take on Wicklow champions, St Patrick’s at 1:30pm today in Aughrim.
Portlaoise have had a slightly different season to the last couple of years this year as they were pushed hard by multiple teams.
Portlaoise are the county’s representatives for the 12th time in the last 13 years but this year’s Jack Delaney Cup triumph was most certainly one of their most difficult to achieve.
Courtwood pressed them hard in Round 2 while St Joseph’s got to within three points of them in the quarter final.
They faced Portarlington in the championship semi-final which saw Portlaoise pushed to their limits. They headed for the dressing room trailing by seven points at half time and came back to win by one
They overcame Killeshin by a point in the final, but again, they were pushed hard.
Given the obstacles they’ve overcome throughout the season, they always found a way to win and those tests should stand to them in the Leinster championship.
St Patrick’s will prove to be another test. They are back to back Wicklow champions for the last two years beating Arklow Geraldines Ballymoney by two points this year and overcoming Rathnew by two points in the 2018 replay.
Tommy Kelly will be a big threat between play and from frees while Portlaoise will be reliant on many players such as Bruno McCormack, Laois footballer of the year, Kieran Lillis.
If Portlaoise can win they will face either Sarsfields of Kildare or Eire Og of Carlow in the semi final.
Follow all the action as it happens below:
SEE ALSO – Victory for Knockbeg in Round 1 of the Leinster Senior Football Championship
