Well the time had arrived for the 13A’s as they stepped out on to the Stanley O'Hara pitch home of Clara Town FC in Offaly. When the teams lined up you couldn't but notice the physical difference in size with the Portlaoise team physically bigger. Ten minutes in Rovers had their first chance with Rhys Behan been denied by the onrushing keeper who done well to block. To be honest it was Portlaoise who made the early running and were the better team in the first twenty minutes. On thirteen minutes they hit the front when they were awarded a penalty and they made no mistake blasting it home. Two minutes later Sam Czwalina came to Rovers rescue when he won the race with the striker to clear. Soon after Portlaoise doubled their lead and things looked bleak for Rovers. The lads slowly edged their way into the game and three minutes before the break Rovers pulled one back. A Kale Conyard inswinging corner caught the keeper out to sail into the roof of the net at the back post. A lifline for Rovers and how they upped their game from that moment onwards. The second half saw Rovers totally dominate the game creating several good chances but unfortunately luck wasn’t with them. On forty minutes Rovers were denied a penalty when it seemed a Portlaoise defender handled. With eleven minutes remaining Rovers were awarded a free-kick thirty five yards out, Kale Conyard stepped up to belt a cracking free past the keeper to level matters and it was game on. Rovers continued on the front foot as they searched for a winner. They couldn’t break down the Portlaoise rearguard and it was on to extra time. Four minutes into extra time Portlaoise had their first real chance in awhile and they went close as they rattled the crossbar. Rovers went up the other end and were awarded a penalty for handball but unfortunately for Rovers the keeper saved well. Two minutes later the impressive Rhys Behan went close when his thunderous twenty yard shot whistled just wide of the top right hand corner of the net. Just on the stroke of half time in extra time Portlaoise scored against the run of play. With four minutes left in the second half of extra time Portlaoise hit Rovers on the break to score number four. Rovers didn’t lie down and they made it 4-3 when Richie Carton scored to make it an interesting last couple of minutes. To the lads credit they gave it their all and the Portlaoise side were hanging on at the end. Rovers can be proud of themselves for the incredible effort they put in today. From the 20th minute Rovers were the better team but lady luck just wasn’t on their side. Every single player done themselves proud today and showed everyone with their performances in the competition that WDSL teams are a match for any team in the region. A big congratulations to the squad and their management team on reaching the final and representing your club and county in such impressive fashion. The squad is as follows: Sam Czwalina, Ryan Cox, Harry Bowen, Ben O'Leary, kale Conyard, Rhys Behan, Harry Kavanagh, Tommy Morrisey, Sam Conyard, Richard Carton, Daniel Connolly, Kuba Cielecki, Luke Connolly, Robbie McCoy, Jack Madden and Tiernan Shortall. The management team consists of Maurice Dunne, Kevin Czwalina and Lenny Carton. Well done everyone.