Portarlington, who last week came from behind to force a draw produced a devastating second-half performance to win their 10th Laois football title at Portlaoise yesterday.
In the opening 15 minutes, Stradbally looked the better side and led 0-3 to 0-1 before Hugh Emerson placed David Sweeney for a brilliant goal after 17 minutes.
Stradbally failed to score again in the opening half and at half-time Portarlington who last won the title in 1995, led 1-4 to 0-3.
On the changeover Colin Bennett stretched Portarlington's advantage before Stradbally replied with three excellent points to leave just two points separating the sides with 15 minutes left.
However, the turning point of the game came three minutes into the final quarter when Portarlington substitute Dermot O'Connor scored his side's second goal. Hugh Emerson added two excellent points, as did Graham Burke and at the final whistle Portarlington were by far the superior side.
PORTARLINGTON: I O'Neill, A Bracken, A Phelan, P O'Dywer, J McGowan, D Ryan, K Hoey, B McCann, J Bolton (Capt), C Bennett (0-3), D Sweeney (1-3), G Burke (0-3), K McCann, H Emerson (0-3), P Maher (0-1). Subs: D O'Connor (1-0) for C Bennett, C Ward for K McCann, P Turley for P Maher, O Nolan for A Bracken, B Dorris for D Sweeney.
STRADBALLY: B Delaney, P Begley, E Delaney, D Larkin, J Kavanagh, D Delaney (0-4), B Kelly, D McEvoy, J Larkin, G Ramsbottom (0-2), A Maher, P Langton, J Donoghue, T Bowe (0-1), B Larkin. Subs: G Kavanagh for B Larkin, C Kelly (0-1) for J Donoghue, D Dea le for G Kavanagh.
Referee: J Conway (Arles-Kilcruise).
Toomevara managed to salvage a draw with Loughmore-Castleiney in the Tipperary senior hurling quarter-final in Templemore yesterday.
A point in injury-time by All-Ireland winning Tipperary captain captain Tommy Dunne saved the day for Toome, squaring the match at 2-16 each.
However, the Paul Ormond and Noel Cahill-inspired Loughmore side refused to return from the dressing-rooms for extra-time.
In the Connacht club hurling championship, Tubbercurry defeated St Mary's Carrick-on-Shannon by 3-9 to 1-9.
