In wet and windy conditions Port overcame their division 2 rivals by 22 points to 17 after coming from behind. Port forwards fronted up strongly on the day, led by captain Ross McMahon. It was a theme of the match where port would make the hard yards though their tight five as it wasn't a day for flinging the ball around out wide. Port found themselves down 5 – 0 after the first five minutes when the Longford right winger broke the line to pass inside to the 13 who went over in the corner for an unconverted first score. The next 15 minutes was all Portarlington pressure in the Longford half and this pressure paid off when McMahon turned over a Longford line out and two crash carries by Philip Leigh and David Ekundayo opened the door for Jake Hurley to barrel over. This was converted by Odhrán O Reilly to put port up 7 – 5. Port continued to apply pressure and doubled their lead six minutes later after strong carries up the middle from Ekundayo, Hurley and Darragh “Chalky” White with Theo McGrath simply refusing to be brought down to make it within 5 meters of the line. Two pick and goes later and Chalky crashed over, duly converted by O Reilly. Portarlington went into the half time break 14 – 5 up.

Longford began the second half strongly and hit back with some slick backline passing for the outside centre to go over for a converted try, which left the score at 14 – 12 with 20 minute left. Portarlington spent the next 10 minutes under pressure in their own half where discipline cost them a lineout and scrum penalty, but pressure was relieved when Longford were pinged for being offside from a kick. O Reilly found touch 30 meters out from the Longford line but the subsequent lineout was turned over and the following passage of play saw the Longford no 8 crash over. The try was unconverted, which left Port 14 – 17 down with about 12 minutes to play. With 10 mins left a dangerous high tackle on Theo McGrath was tapped quickly by port and strong carriers by Jake Hurley and Chalky white saw Chalky go over in the corner to restore Ports lead to 19 – 17. The side line conversion was just wide. With three minutes remaining a very strong scrum on halfway by port allowed Jake Hurley to carry hard into Longford. The ball was turned over but Longford were penalised for being offside from the kick, 38 meters out from the Longford line. Odhrán O Reilly wasted in time in pointing to the posts, knowing how valuable this kick would be. The crowd went silent as O’Reilly stepped up and split the posts to put Port up 22 – 17 with only a minute remaining. Longford attacked down the left hand side but some strong tackling saw port push the winger over the side line. Port won the resulting line out and the ball was cleared off the pitch for the Portarlington victory. Wild celebrations ensued.

Congratulations to the team and coaches Paidi Mahon, Liam McGrath and Edmond Fardy. Leinster Champions!