Laois Celtic Challenge Team win Division 3 All Ireland Title

Congratulations to Laois on winning the 2024 Celtic Challenge Division 3: Corn William Robinson Cup, in what was a fantastic battle of hurling to emerge 2 point Victor’s over Mayo in Abbotstown today (June 2nd)

Round 1:
Meath: 1-15
Laois: 2-7

Round 2:
Laois: 8-17
Armagh: 0-4

Round 3:
Kildare U16’s Team: 3-8
Laois: 1-21

Quarter Final:
Kildare U17’s Second Team: 3-6
Laois: 3-18

Semi Final:
Meath: 0-14
Laois: 2-12

Final:
Laois: 1-14 (17)
Mayo: 2-9 (15)

Management:Brian Flanagan (Clonaslee-St Manman’s)

Ross Young (The Harps)

Noel Concannon (Ballypickas)

John Payne (Mountmellick)

Pat Kirby (Borris-Kilcotton)

Niall Ryan (Abbeyleix)

Patrick Wright (Rathdowney-Errill)

 

Match Report

After the 1st minute of play, Laois’ Liam Townsend ran through the Mayo defence to win a free which Daire Fogarty converted for the opening score of the game.

3 points in quick succession put Mayo ahead after 7 minutes.

Laois defenders Conor Ryan, Sean Hayes and Conor McDonnagh were immense defensively in this period and kept the Mayo forwards at bay.

2 points from frees in quick succession by Daire Fogarty and Laois were now level after 15 minutes. Mayo’s midfield duo Oisin Duffy and Dylan Quinn came to the fore in this period and Mayo scored 1-3 from play with Fionn Delaney getting the goal. Mayo took a 5 point lead.Laois responded very well and Scott Kelly the midfielder scored a point from play, followed by a Mayo point from play.

Laois then scored the next 3 points in a row, courtesy of Daire Fogarty Eoin Holland and Cillian Dunne to leave just 2 points between the sides after 26 minutes.

Mayo added another point from play to go 3 points ahead at half time.

Half Time Score: Laois: 0-7 Mayo: 1-7

Laois had a bright start to the 2nd half, scoring 2 quick points in succession. Daniel Jones scored from play and Daire Fogarty from a free to bring Laois back to a point of Mayo.

Davy Delaney then pointed from play to level the score.

Mayo replied with a point and Laois levelled again straight after, after Frank McGovern with the pin point pass, set up Daniel Jones with a point after 39 minutes gone.

Fionn Sullivan was excellent all day for Mayo and got his 2nd goal of the day to put Mayo 3 points ahead after 42 minutes.

How Laois responded to this Mayo goal was very admirable and this young Laois team produced an immense effort in the final quarter of this game.

Laois and Mayo traded quick points with Cillian Dunne scoring for Laois. Laois’ Scott Kelly displayed great skill to kick the sliotar up into Cillian Dunne’s hands and his effort was blocked for a 65. Davy Delaney then stepped up to convert the Laois 65 and Laois were back to 2 points behind Mayo with just 10 minutes remaining.

A super goal finished in style by Liam Townsend put Laois ahead now by 1 point with just 7 minutes remaining. Then a free by Daire Fogarty put Laois 2 points up with 5 minutes to go.

Mayo fought really hard in the final 5 minutes in search of a score but the Laois defence held firm and Jack Kennedy cleared the ball for Laois and the referee blew the full time whistle.

Man of the match awards on the day were given to Laois’ Daire Fogarty and Mayo’s Niall Peoples