Emo 2-9
Portlaoise 0-15
VETERAN FORWARD MICK Lawlor rolled back the years with two goals as Emo and Portlaoise played out a thrilling drawn Laois senior football final.
Lawlor, 42, was lining out in his third county final — 21 years after his first.
And it was a rapid-fire double from the former county star that threatened to deny Portlaoise their ninth straight county crown in a stunning upset.
Portlaoise led 0-8 to 0-5 at the break before Lawlor’s remarkable blitz turned the tables and put Emo two points up, 2-7 to 0-9.
They went as far as five points clear before the champions, propelled by returning Aussie Rules star Zach Tuohy, mounted their comeback with a string of unanswered scores.
It was Tuohy who pointed the equaliser in the 60th minute before Brian Glynn nudged Portlaoise into the lead right at the death.
It seemed that Emo were set to be denied in the cruellest fashion but Paul Lawlor made no mistake with a late free to ensure that the sides will have to do it all again.
