It was all happening in Laois today.
Portlaoise faced old rivals Emo in the county football showpiece this afternoon and there was drama both on and off the field.
Earlier this morning an Emo supporter decided he’d try and get behind enemy lines and place a sign on a pub in Portlaoise town centre but was rumbled by an eagle-eyed supporter who alerted their friends to remove it.
But that was nothing compared to the hero of the hour for Emo this afternoon who almost guided his side to an historic victory over the nine in-a-row-chasing Portlaoise
The champions led by 0-8 to 0-5 at the break but then Laois vetern Mick Lawlor decided he’d take the game by the scruff of the neck and things changed very quickly after the break.
GOAL Emo – Mick Lawlor!!! 42-years young – Emo 1-5 Portlaoise 0-9 – perfect start to second half for them
— Midlands 103 Sport (@MidlandsSport) October 18, 2015
And they say the best time to score a goal is right after your last one, and Lawlor clearly agreed
GOOOOOOAL Mick Lawlor – 2 goals for the veteran! Emo 2-5 Portlaoise 0-9 – bloody hell
— Midlands 103 Sport (@MidlandsSport) October 18, 2015
Emo were in the driving seat but late drama, and an even later free from Paul Lawlor – who is a first cousin of Mick – gave the challengers a chance for a draw.
Portlaoise take the lead – Brian Glynn – Portlaoise 0-15 Emo 2-8
— Midlands 103 Sport (@MidlandsSport) October 18, 2015
Free for Emo to draw it
— Midlands 103 Sport (@MidlandsSport) October 18, 2015
Paul Lawlor equalises – 65th minute
— Midlands 103 Sport (@MidlandsSport) October 18, 2015
But all the talk afterwards was about just one man.
Two GOALS for MICK Lawlor, ah this is great
— Brian Ramsbottom (@TheOneRam) October 18, 2015
Mick Lawlor my hero
— Michael Keogh (@MichaelKeogh95) October 18, 2015
Emo threatening to do a "Japan" in Laois Senior #GAA Final with two goals in minutes for 40-something Mick Lawlor https://t.co/Z0hMghLAiZ
— Adrian Kavanagh (@AdrianKavanagh) October 18, 2015
42/43 year old Mick Lawlor has just banged in 2 goals for Emo in the Laois Final #GaaCountyFinal #GAA pic.twitter.com/LqNW44BA0m
— UnOfficialGaa (@UnOfficialGaa) October 18, 2015
https://twitter.com/LeechTheMan/status/655793498373816320
https://twitter.com/Kelly_J247/status/655802805249290240
