An opportunity lost, no doubt. Moorefield were going nowhere at 11-8 and the sending off brought them into it. Portlaoise were poor in the second half, and the tempo was all wrong. The good support play in the first half just stopped and too often lads were isolated and turned over. It says a lot that your main man on the front foot is your goalkeeper, and there was a case yesterday for pushing Brody out the field and putting Nolan back in goals. Their No. 12 should have been booked early and sent off, which is partly the reason Coldrick lost control and allowed Moorefield to get a foothold. But that's clutching a little at straws. Truth be told, Portlaoise are not ruthless enough when the smell of blood is in the air, and the second half actually appears to be an issue for them.
In fairness to Portlaoise, without Glynn, Cotter and Healy, it has still been a good year. Holland, Finn, Flanagan and McEvoy have really stepped up. They hold onto the ball well but sometimes the approach play is too laboured and movement off the ball lacking. For their own sake, and Laois', it would be good if they commit to Laois. I don't believe they can improve individually or as contributors to Portlaoise by staying away from county football. Lillis and Dillon have proved that.