Leinster Club JFC Quarter Final

Courtwood (Laois) 1-12 Cortown (Meath) 2-8

Courtwood's maiden voyage in provincial competition continues after a thrilling one point win over the Meath junior champions Cortown on Sunday in Páirc Uí Mhórdha, Portlaoise.

With the end of normal time approaching, the sides were level and extra time was looming until Colm Wilson got on the end of a good passing move before cleverly fisting the ball over the bar for what proved the winning score.

Courtwood had gotten off to a dream start with a goal from Laois senior player Niall Donoher after 6 minutes giving them a 1-1 to 0-1 lead, Ryan O'Rourke and Danny Luttrell having traded the opening points. Full forward Mark O'Halloran added two points and with Donoher, Luttrell (2) and David Duffy all also on target Courtwood had opened up a 1-7 to 0-3 lead after 20 minutes, Cortown's scores having come from O'Rourke and centre forward Breen Smith.

But during that scoring spell Courtwood had lost their influential midfielder Andrew Mulhare to a black card and Cortown finished the half stronger with three unanswered points from David Rispin (2) and O'Rourke leaving it at 1-7 to 0-6 at the interval.

The opening of the second half saw Cortown continue to pile on the pressure and they were rewarded when awarded a penalty after 4 minutes of play. Corner forward Ryan O'Rourke converted to leave just a point between the teams.

Luttrell landed two more dead balls with Cortown responding with yet another O'Rourke free before a mix up in the home team's defence gave substitute Stephen Clarke a goal chance which he converted with aplomb putting his side ahead for the first time with 12 minutes left to play, 2-7 to 1-9.

Donoher drew Courtwood level again before Colm Wilson calmly slotted over a free to send the Laois champions back in front.

Two minutes of normal time remained when O'Rourke again drew Cortown level with his fifth pointed free before Wilson's late, late show sent the home fans into dreamland and a Leinster semi-final date with Kildare side Straffan at the same venue in a fortnight's time.

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