Hi °C | Lo °C
Portarlington 13 Longford 6
A well-drilled Portarlington side used the experience of their 2009 win to take the title in Mullingar yesterday.
A 12th-minute try by winger Ross Doyle was the difference between the sides in the end after a dogged encounter in driving rain.
Both sides showed discipline in their own halves for the most part, although there were opportunities for Port full-back David Murphy and Longford out-half Colm Glynn to kick two penalties apiece.
Port coped better with the slick conditions that made handling difficult.
The work rate of Joander Brazon, Massey Thakeraina, the Hyland brothers and former Laois full-forward Hughie Emerson was instrumental in this victory.
Longford looked as if they would tie the match up in the closing 10 minutes, but Portarlington held out and used their wiles to foil the Division 1B team's efforts for long enough to allow the slippery conditions play their part.
Longford will be disappointed, but Darren Bracken's side were full value for their win.
Portarlington -- D Murphy; R Doyle, S Mulhall, M Thankaraina, R Mannion; K Hyland, P Mannion; S Kelly, C Dowling, A Wilkinson; H Emerson, S Dalkey; P Hyland, J Brazzon; M Petrin. Reps: A Mihajovic, D Hennessey, J Hyland, P Maree, S Dowell.
Longford -- K Kennedy; A Cassidy, D McGlade, J O'Connor, J Connolly; C Glynn, N Farrell; K Coffee, R Keath, J Duffy; B McManus, M Murphy; A Hall, D Farrell, P Gallogly. Reps: D Quinn, H Connolly, F McGlade, D Bannon, J Naughton.
