Local Notes: Theatre, soccer and GAA news
Portlaw GAA and camogie players were busy in recent weeks
Portlaw Players performed their two 1 act plays for three nights last week. Two performances in the Clodagh Bar and one in the Cotton Mill.
First up were the ladies with “Rabbits are no substitute for Men“, produced by Caz Butler Kelly and starring Lauren Humbhries, Dervla Walsh and Caz Butler Kelly.
Followed by “Anger Management” starring Chris Long, Alan Ronayne, Jamie Power, Freddy Kelly, Emmett Cullinane, Dermot Sullivan; produced by Bill Stafford. There were fantastic performances from all the actors, which resulted in standing ovations and sold out performances on the three nights.
It was a night to sit back and marvel at the talent on stage for the first Portlaw Players event.
Congratulations to all concerned for all their work and support in ensuring such a magical night with memories to last a lifetime. They certainly have ensured that the Portlaw Players are here to stay with the audience looking forward already in anticipation of their next production.
All at Portlaw GAA Club would like to thank Minister Mary Butler and Senator John Cummins for their help and assistance to the club in securing the latest Sports Capital Grant of €69k which will be used to install perimeter fencing on our main playing field as well as the upgrading of our Flood lighting to LED Energy efficient Lighting.
Their support has been greatly appreciated at all stages of our development and we look forward with excitement to this next chapter.
Portlaw Camogie: Our U8, U10 and U12 girls had a great club day out in Cork last weekend. We headed to Airtastic for a fun-filled day to mark the end of a fantastic year. From the pictures it looks like the girls had a fabulous day. Thanks to the mentors, parents and committee members who helped to organise the day. Well done to our U9 teams who played a blitz in Tramore. The girls were brilliant. They had two teams and no subs - each team had three games each. The girls showed great skills and are improving every game and it was lovely for younger U8s to get some game time. Thanks to Tramore for hosting Portlaw GAA.
Hard luck to our footballers who were beaten by Stradbally after a strong first half on a scoreline of 2-15 to 1-11. The lads played some great football and put in a great effort!
U17 FAI Cup Result Ferrybank 4-5 Portlaw Team Sponsor Pat Kerley Windows & Doors.
Unbelievable game of football away to Ferrybank in the FAI Cup.
We started well but were punished for some sloppy play and Ferrybank took full advantage scoring twice in two minutes to put us on the back foot. We got back into the game when Conor Foley was fouled in the box and Jack Kennedy tucked away the penalty leaving us trailing 2-1 at the break. We started the 2nd half on the front foot and got back level when Kevin Lyons finished from close range. We took the lead when Jack Kennedy hit his 2nd penalty of the night but almost immediately Ferrybank equalised for 3-3. We kept pushing and went 4-3 up when Sam Croke hit the net but again Ferrybank hit back for 4-4. With extra time looming we earned a corner and when the ball fell to captain fantastic Jack Kennedy there was only one result when he smashed home from the edge of the box for the winner and his hat trick.
Fantastic performance by all the lads but MOTM must go to Samuel Deevy, brilliant 2nd half, created loads of chances and helped drag us back into the game.
Great coverage in this week’s News & Star of our FAI Cup win over St. Joseph’s last weekend and 15-year-old hat trick scoring Sam Croke making a little bit of history.
Our U12’s were away in the league against Carrick Utd. The game was tight enough with some chances for both sides. A brilliant double save from Brian Grant kept the game level until the 23rd minute when Colm Nugent flicked on a corner for Alex Roche to finish from close range. Alex Roche doubled his tally and Portlaw’s lead six minutes later with another close range finish from a Taylor Flannery corner. Taylor Flannery then went close with a low shot, which rattled the post.
Another couple of chances before halftime went begging, which could have made for a more comfortable second half.
Carrick got one back 12 minutes into the second half when Portlaw failed to deal with a rebounded shot from a corner.
After that the game could have swung either way with both sides having chances. A special mention for Connor O’Donoghue who marked out the Carrick Utd attacking threat brilliantly with some tenacious defending. A safe pair of hands from Brian Grant meant that Carrick didn’t add to their tally and Portlaw went on to win 2-1 in a close game. Well done all.
A really strong performance from our U11 girls saw them win both their matches in their blitz in Kilmac. Great to see them all getting stuck in and playing as a team. Well done girls!
Thanks to Kilmac for hosting the blitz and for providing treat bags for each child.
FAI Cup Result St. Joseph’s 2 - 5 Portlaw
Really good performance where we dominated from kick off. Jordy gave us the lead inside 5 minutes after a brilliant cross from Peter Woods. We doubled our lead shortly after with Tighearnan King's bullet header from a corner. 15-year-old Sam Croke made it 3-0 when he calmly slotted home from outside the box. Sam made it 4-0 when great work from Jordi left Sam with a tap in.
Sam’s hat trick arrived when he calmly slotted home from the penalty spot. Really good performance, fantastic to see so many of our U17’s stepping up and playing so well at this level. Man of the Match goes to Sam Croke with a little bit of history of being the youngest ever hat trick scorer for the club.
Everyone at the club would like to wish Woody all the best as he heads off on his travels to Australia. Luke has been our club captain over the past three years in a period where we won promotion to the premier league. A hat trick from Luke guaranteed us promotion and recently joined the premier league scorers group when he hit the winner vs Bohs. Woody has been brilliant in the role and will be missed around the club. Enjoy Woody and hopefully won’t be long before your back in the black and red.
