Diarmuid Whelan’s late goal snatched victory from the jaws of defeat for Ballyroan Abbey as they edged St Joseph’s in last night’s Laois senior football championship opener.

It finished 1-9 to 0-11 in Portlaoise, where St Joseph’s had led for long spells throughout the second-half prior to Whelan’s late intervention.

The victors edged a low-scoring first-half by 0-4 to 0-3 when the sides went in at the break, with Whelan, who finished with 1-5, leading the way in the scoring stakes.

Points from Josh O’Brien and Dylan Doyle would put the Saints in the driving seat midway through the second-half however, before Whelan (free) and sub Enda McVey brought ‘The Abbey’ back into contention.

O’Brien hit back with two frees and James Smith looked like ensuring the win for St Joseph’s with a superb point in injury-time but their counterparts would have one final say.

A high ball into the square from Charlie Whelan in the dying moments was met by the fist of Diarmuid Whelan and flew past Aaron Cooney in the St Joseph’s goal, ensuring the dramatic win for Ballyroan Abbey.

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