Remembering 1984
The “Double Double”
In 1984, Portlaoise GAA achieved one of the most remarkable feats in Laois sporting history, the legendary “Double Double”. Winning senior and minor championship titles in both hurling and football within the same year remains one of the greatest achievements in the club’s history.
While the senior teams made history, the future stars of Portlaoise GAA were making waves of their own. The Minor Football and Minor Hurling teams mirrored the achievements of their senior counterparts, capturing county titles and demonstrating the strength of the club from top to bottom.
Their success was a promise of the bright future that lay ahead, with many of those young players going on to become key figures in Portlaoise GAA’s continued success in the years and decades that followed.
Remarkably, it took replays in the senior hurling, senior football and minor football finals before the historic “Double Double” could finally be completed.
Minor Hurling Champions
In the minor hurling final, Portlaoise were always in control against Borris-in-Ossory and claimed their first county title since 1980 with a 2-10 to 1-5 victory.
Paul Bergin was the star of the show with a sensational individual performance, accounting for all but two of the Town’s scores.
Final Score: Portlaoise 2-10 Borris-in-Ossory 1-5.
Minor Football Champions
Graiguecullen entered the final seeking their first minor football title since 1949 while Portlaoise hoped to bridge a much shorter three-year gap.
The first meeting ended level at 3-6 apiece after a dramatic finish. Graiguecullen looked set for victory until Pat Dalton won possession and found Paul Bergin, who finished to the net to earn Portlaoise a replay.
In the replay, Portlaoise stepped up another level. James Fahy led the scoring with five points while a goal from Paul Bergin and further scores from Liam Duggan, Ronan O’Connell and Tom Fitzpatrick ensured the Corcoran Cup would reside in the county town.
Replay Score: Portlaoise 1-8 Graiguecullen 1-2.
Senior Hurling Champions
Portlaoise faced the newly formed Harps side in the senior hurling final. The drawn game provided a major scare, but Portlaoise responded emphatically in the replay.
The Town raced out of the blocks and established a seven-point advantage before The Harps could settle. Mathew Keegan (1-2), Billy Bohane (0-5) and Mickey Bohane (1-1) were among the leading scorers as Portlaoise cruised to victory.
Replay Score: Portlaoise 2-14 The Harps 1-7.
The success represented Portlaoise’s sixth senior hurling championship title and their fourth in succession. Amazingly, all four titles had been won at different venues, with John Joe Ging serving as captain for each triumph.
Senior Football Champions
The senior football final followed a remarkably similar script. Portlaoise entered the decider as favourites as they chased a record-breaking 15th Laois Senior Football Championship title, but Ballyroan proved stubborn opponents.
Featuring stars such as Liam Irwin, Mick Drennan, Pat Dunne, Pat McWey, Jim Whelan and county goalkeeper Martin Conroy, Ballyroan frustrated Portlaoise and earned a draw in a game that never truly caught fire.
Drawn Final: Portlaoise 0-9 Ballyroan 1-6.
In the replay, however, Portlaoise grabbed their second chance with both hands. The Town completely dominated proceedings and Ballyroan had to wait until the second minute of the second half to register a score.
Portlaoise produced a commanding display to secure a record-breaking 15th county football title and complete one of the greatest years in the club’s history.
A Year for the Ages
The achievement of winning senior and minor championships in both football and hurling during the same season remains unique in Portlaoise GAA history.
The “Double Double” of 1984 showcased not only the strength of the senior teams but also the extraordinary talent emerging through the club’s underage ranks. More than forty years on, it still stands as one of the defining chapters in the story of Portlaoise GAA.