Nolan does the trick as Crettyard best Portarlington

Keith Nolan scored three goals as Crettyard got the Laois SFC off to a dramatic start against Portarlington on Wednesday night.

Nolan's treble included two penalties as the underdogs, tipped by many as relegation contenders, claimed a stunning 4-5 to 0-13 victory over Portarlington at O'Moore Park.

Crettyard are now just one win away from a surprise quarter-final place, while Portarlington, who had led by four points with a few minutes remaining, could now face another relegation fight having battled against the drop in two of the past three years.

The rest of the Senior Football Championship gets under way this weekend, with defending champions Portlaoise kicking off their bid for a fourth straight title against The Heath at O'Moore Park on Saturday evening at 7.30pm, directly after the clash of Arles-Killeen and Emo.

The other notable encounter on the opening weekend is the meeting of respective Division 1 and Division 2 league champions St Joseph's and O'Dempseys, who face off at O'Moore Park at 7pm on Sunday evening. Tweet

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