Portlaoise 0-14

Killeshin 2-7

Portlaoise were pushed all the way by first-time finalists Killeshin before completing a three-in-a-row of Jack Delaney Cups at O'Moore Park.

Brian Glynn, Brian McCormack and Kieran Lillis scored three points each as 'The Town' made it 12 titles in 13 years. A plucky Killeshin side nudged ahead on a couple of occasions in the second half, but Portlaoise's know how and experience got them over the line.

The underdogs got off to a dream start when Cathal Brennan netted after only two minutes, but they failed to score again in the first half as Portlaoise recovered to take a 0-5 to 1-0 lead into the break. 

Killeshin also started the second half strongly and their supporters were in dreamland when an Eoin Lowry point was followed by a stunning goal from his younger brother Evan. But the holders refused to panic and regained the lead with points from Lillis, Gareth Dillon and Glynn.

David Aston decorated a fine display with six points, but couldn't save Killeshin from a narrow defeat.

Portlaoise - M Nolan; D Seale, F Flanagan, B Mulligan; Chris Finn, G Saunders, G Dillon (0-3); K Lillis (0-3), C McEvoy; D Larkin, C Boyle (0-1), B Glynn (0-3); B McCormack (0-3, 1f), B Carroll (0-1), R Maher. Subs: D Holland for R Maher, Colin Finn for D Seale, R McEvoy for B Glynn, C Rogers for D Larkin.

Killeshin - S Coakley; A Mahon, J Mahon, S Attride; M McDermott, S Bolger, D Aston (0-6, 2f, 1'45); G Brennan, B Lowry; K Ryan, Eoin Lowry (0-1), Evan Lowry (1-0); M Doran, C Brennan (1-0), A Deering. Subs: B Ryan for A Deering, R Bolger for M Doran, P Bolton for M McDermott, L Attride for B Lowry.

Referee - B McCann.

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