Laois Celtic Challenge Hurlers Win Corn William Robinson Cup

Written By Laois PR Team. 

Laois produced a spirited and clinical second half performance to overcome Meath on a scoreline of 3-18 to 1-17 in an entertaining Corn William Robinson (All Ireland Division 3) Celtic Challenge Cup Final.

The opening minutes were full of intensity, with Meath scoring 3 points in a row. Kian McKiegue scored a 65 and a free. Ben Healy scored from play. Meath led 0-3 after 7 minutes.

Laois defender Conor Hickey made a crucial early interception to deny Meath a potential goal during this period also.

Laois found their rhythm shortly after, taking the lead with 2 goals in the 8th and 11th minutes from Tadgh Hughes and Jamie Fitzpatrick. Daniel Bowe scored a point from play to leave the score after 12 minutes: Laois: 2-1 Meath: 0-4.

Meath struck back with a well taken goal followed by a point from Ben Healy in the 13th and 15th minute.

Laois responded strongly again with Scott Kelly goal followed immediately by a Rory Standish point from play.

Great defensive work by Oisin McRedmond, denied Meath a goal chance.

Meath gained back momentum with 3 points from play in a row from play from Kieran McKiegue, Alex Cole and Ben Healy.

Laois got back on the scoreboard with a point from play by Scott Kelly.

Laois goalkeeper Shane Carroll pulled off a superb full stretch save just before the break to deny Meath another goal.

Kieran McKiegue pointed the resulting 65.

Half Time Score was level at: Laois: 3-3 Meath: 1-9.

The second half began with Meath edging ahead early with three quick points, Ben Healy from play, Rob Kelly from play and Kieran McKiegue free.

But Laois rallied through with a point from Bobby O’Connor from play.

Meath continued their impressive start to the 2nd half, with Ben Healy and Cathal Flynn both pointing from play.

Score after 40 minutes: Laois: 3-4 Meath: 1-14

Laois hit a purple patch with 3 frees from Scott Kelly. Daniel Bowe and Bobby O’Connor scored 2 points each from play in this period also. The score after 47 minutes: Laois 3-11. Meath 1-14.

Laois continued to pile on the pressure. In a 2 minute spell Davy Delaney scored 0-2 from play and Bobby O’Connor got a point from play. Score now was Laois: 3-14 Meath 1-14.

Kian McKiegue pointed from a free for Meath and Evan Lawless pointing twice from play. With Laois’ Bobby McWey responding with a point from play.

Laois full Darragh Keeshan made an outstanding block from Meath’s Ben Healy to stop a certain goal in this period.

Laois finished out the game with 3 points in a row from Scott Kelly, all from play. To leave the final score Laois: 3-18 to Meath: 1-17.

This was an outstanding display by the Laois players including the subs who came on to play their part in this excellent overall team victory.

The man of the match award was presented to Laois’ Bobby O’Connor and the trophy was then presented to the winning captain Harry Donoghue amid great scenes of celebration.

Laois team: Shane Carroll (Portlaoise); Conor Hickey (Borris-Kilcotton), Daragh Keeshan (Borris-Kilcotton), Jacob Hillard (Camross); Ben Meade (Mountrath), Harry Donoghue (The Harps), Oisin McRedmond (Portlaoise); Tadhg Hughes (Rosenallis), Rory Standish (Rathdowney-Errill); Scott Kelly (Rosenallis), Bobby O’Connor (Trumera), Killian James (St Paul’s); Jamie Fitzpatrick (Ballinakill), Daniel Bowe (Rathdowney-Errill), Davy Delaney (Portlaoise).

Laois Subs: Ryan Haslam (Portlaoise) for Meade (27), Bobby McWey (Ballypickas) for James (49), Tiernan Lawless (Portlaoise) and Jack Mahon (Mountmellick) for O’Connor (inj) and Standish (both 57), John Gilbert (Borris-Kilcotton) for Kelly (61).

Laois scorers: Scott Kelly 1-7 (0-3 frees, 0-1 ’65), Bobby O’Connor 0-4, Tadgh Hughes and Jamie Fitzpatrick 1-0 each, Dan Bowe 0-3, Davy Delaney 0-2, Rory Standish and Bobby McWey 0-1 each.

Meath team: Callum McKeown; Patrick Guy, Fionn Ennis, Charlie McHugh; Charlie Fagan, Evan Lawless, Conor Heffernan; Kian McKeigue, Oisin Hughes; Cathal Flynn, Rob Kelly, Alex Cole; Andrew Doyle, Ben Healy, Robbie Dennehy.

Meath Subs: Eoin Smith for Doyle (40), Ronan Diggins for Healy (inj, 57).

Meath scorers: Ben Healy 1-6 (0-1 free), Kian McKeigue 0-6 (two ’65s, two frees), Evan Lawless 0-2, Alex Cole, Rob Kelly and Cathal Flynn 0-1 each.