Talking Points from Old Leighlin v Portarlington

1. How different would this game have been had Mikey Bambrick’s first half shot been six inches to the right and gone inside the post rather than clip the outside on the way wide? 

Not only was it a missed chance but it also sparked the best run of the game from Portarlington and by the half time break, Old Leighlin were looking totally demoralised and there was already a certain inevitability about the result. 

A goal would have sent a surge of belief through Old Leighlin at a vital stage of the game and it was a huge moment in the match.

2. Old Leighlin had a spell in the second half where a comeback didn’t seem like a completely outlandish possibility. 

Ronan Coffey’s black card gave them a numerical advantage and they began to get a real foothold in around the middle third. 

However, the crucial scores just wouldn’t come. There was a run of three points in a row but a goal, or even a two pointer, during that phase of play would have made such a difference. 

As it was, Portarlington were able to weather the storm and it was actually they who finished with a flourish.

3. It means that as with Old Leighlin’s three previous ventures into Leinster this century, their time outside the county ends after one game however, that won’t diminish the scale of this year’s achievements for Brian Longergan’s team. 

The memory of Cathal Coughlan’s last gasp point securing a first title will live long, long in the minds of all those of an Old Leighlin persuasion and coupled with the success of the club’s ladies footballers in toppling Bennekerry/Tinryland, it’s been a very special few weeks for the club and area.