Home Gaelic Football Club Football Laois U-20 FC: Group stage to conclude this weekend as semi finals...

Laois U-20 FC: Group stage to conclude this weekend as semi finals almost decided

The group stages of Laois Shopping Centre U-20 Football Championship will conclude this weekend.

While two of the semi finalists are confirmed, the other two are almost guaranteed to join them.

The outcome of Group A is known but the order in which the teams will finish is to be determined.

Portlaoise host Crettyard-Spink in Rathleague this evening at 7pm with top spot in the group up for grabs.

Both teams defeated Mountmellick Parish Gaels, Ballylinan and Na Fianna Og in their three games to date.

Mountmellick Parish Gaels are due to play Ballylinan on Sunday but with both sides eliminated, it remains to be seen if that game will go ahead.

Group B is a little bit more interesting as the outcome is still technically up for grabs.

Emo-Courtwood withdrew from the competition after losing to Stradbally Parish Gaels in Round 1.

St Joseph’s gave a walkover to Ballyroan-Abbey in Round 1 and then lost heavily to Graiguecullen before they also withdrew.

That means that Stradbally Parish Gaels are finished with six points and currently sit second behind Graiguecullen in the table.

The Barrowsiders also have six points but can take top spot with victory over holders Ballyroan-Abbey.

That game is scheduled for Saturday afternoon in Ballyroan at 2pm where a win for the home side would see the group decided on points difference.

Currently, as this is determined using points difference between the teams involved, Graiguecullen are +13, Stradbally Parish Gaels are -1, and Ballyroan-Abbey are -12.

So in order for Ballyroan-Abbey to get ahead of Stradbally Parish Gaels, they would have to defeat Graiguecullen by 12 points.

That would appear unlikely based on results so far in the group.

The semi finals are then scheduled for Saturday week and the lineup will be confirmed after this weekend.

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