There were winning starts to the new club football season in Laois on Saturday for Kilcavan, Portarlington and Timahoe in the season opening Kelly Cup while the fourth scheduled preliminary round tie between Courtwood and Annanough failed to materialise with Annanough conceding the game.

Holders Crettyard crashed out at the first hurdle with a young Portarlington side having far too much in the tank for them. This game was the first played on Port s new second pitch and Seamus Hunt s charges racked up an impressive 4-13 tally with the visitors managing just 1-1 in reply.

Timahoe, relegated from senior ranks last season, sent out an early signal of their intent to make a swift return to the top flight when they had four clear goals to spare over Killeshin, while Kilcavan had two points to spare over last year s beaten junior finalists Ballyfin.

Next weekend will see the first round proper and there are some intriguing ties in store with the parish clash between Arles Kilcruise and Arles Killeen the stand out tie. Other games to keep an eye on will include another clash of fellow parishioners Courtwood and Emo and Liam Irwin s Ballyroan Abbey managerial career kicking off with a meeting with The Rock, managed by none other than his brother John.

Results
Courtwood w.o. Annanough scr
Kilcavan 0-10 Ballyfin 0-8
Portarlington 4-13 Crettyard 1-1
Timahoe 4-8 Killeshin 0-8


First Round Draw (games to be played weekend 27th/28th February)
Courtwood v Emo
Timahoe v Graiguecullen
Kilcavan v Clonaslee St Manmans
Portarlington v Stradbally
Arles Kilcruise v Arles Killeen
Ballylinan v The Heath
O Dempseys v St. Josephs
The Rock v Ballyroan Abbey Tweet

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