Frustration for Portarlington in League Final

There was heartbreak for Portarlington’s U-13s and their coach Tony Jewell as West Offaly took the spoils in Edenderry last Sunday.

Portarlington 15

West Offaly Warriors 17

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Both teams scored three tries in a pulsating final and only a Warriors’ conversion separated them at the final whistle.

West Offaly started the best and turned some good early territory and possession into points with a well finished try but Port responded with a try of their own from Ronan Coffey to put the sides level. The Maroon and whites then took control as they added a second try through scrum half Christopher Whittle to complete the momentum swing and they took a 10-5 lead into half time.

The Warriors came out with renewed enthusiasm after the break and made better use of their possession and territory than the Port men adding two more tries and, crucially, adding the extras to their final score to make it 17-10. Port had looked dangerous when going wide but wasted much of their possession with ball carriers running sideways and into traffic but then, with only three minutes remaining they put the ball through hands and out wide to the excellent Séan Shanahan who finished in the corner.

Unfortunately, the task of converting from the touch line was too much and the Warriors only had to see out the final moments with the referee’s final whistle being greeted by joyous celebrations from the Offaly men.

Port will have to put their disappointment behind them as they welcome Cill Dara this Wednesday for an Area League semi final. They will feel confident having got the better of the Kildare side only two weeks ago.