Laois Shopping Centre: SHC & PIHC Finals Recap

Looking back on the past weekend’s Laois Shopping Centre: Premier Intermediate & Senior Hurling Championship Finals.

Congratulations to Ballyfin on winning the Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship and gaining promotion to the 2026 Senior Hurling Championship. Best of luck in the upcoming 2025 Leinster Club Championship.

Upcoming Leinster Intermediate Hurling Club Championship Quarter Final: Lusmagh (Offaly) vs Ballyfin (Laois) on Saturday November 8th at 1.30pm in St.Brendan’s GAA

Commiserations to PIHC finalists Rathdowney-Errill, congratulations on reaching the final and best of luck in the 2026 Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship.

Congratulations to Clough-Ballacolla on winning the Senior Hurling Championship. Best of luck in the upcoming 2025 Leinster Club Championship. Commiserations to finalists Camross, congratulations on reaching the final and best of luck in next year’s senior hurling championship.

Upcoming Leinster Senior Hurling Club Championship Quarter Final: Clough- Ballacolla (Laois) vs winner of Westmeath SHC Final: Castletown-Geoghegan or Lough Lene Gaels (Westmeath) on Sunday November 9th at 1.30pm in Laois Hire O’Moore Park.

PIHC Final: 

Ballyfin: 3-14

Rathdowney-Errill: 1-11

Standout Players: 

Ballyfin:

Sean O’Neil was very sharp and alert at corner-back, showing quick reactions to intercept and gather loose ball, tackling strongly and clearing effectively into midfield. At half-forward, Gareth Dunphy (0-4: 0-2 frees, one 65) impressed with his skill and touch, flicking and scooping up the ball smoothly before driving forward to score from a range of angles. In the full-forward line, Alan Connolly (1-0) and Ronan Carroll (1-1) combined brilliantly, linking up well to create and finish scoring chances for each other.

Rathdowney-Errill:

Mark Tracey stood out in the half-back line, defensively solid and physically strong, using his pace and power to hold off challenges and break forward with intent. In midfield, James Keegan was dominant, confidently fielding high ball and distributing well to launch attacks. Up front, Ben Galvin showed relentless effort and determination, working tirelessly for possession and displaying a huge work rate throughout, fighting for every ball that came his way.

SHC Final: 

Clough-Ballacolla: 2-21

Camross: 2-15

Standout Players: 

Clough-Ballacolla:

Stephen Bergin (1-13: 0-9 frees) was central to their attacking play, combining strength and creativity in a playmaking role. He used his physicality to win ball and his vision to pick out teammates with hand passes for scores, while also scoring an excellent goal and several fine points from play and frees, as he contributed to nearly every score. Jordan Walshe impressed with his long, accurate pucks that set up attacks, one directly leading to Willie Dunphy’s goal, and he added 0-3 himself. Diarmaid Conway was immense defensively on the wings, winning a huge amount of possession both in the air and on the ground, and one of his key defensive turnovers and clearances directly created the opening for Stephen Bergin’s goal.

Camross:

Zane Keenan was in top form at half-forward, highly accurate both from play and placed balls, converting nearly every opportunity that came his way. He struck two excellent goals, one from a 21m free and another from play, finishing with a remarkable total of 2-10 (1-9 frees and one 65). Liam Delaney was outstanding in midfield, carry possession effectively, contributing in attack with clever distribution, including a quick pass across goal that set up one of Zane Keenan’s goals. At full-back, Cathal Cuddy was rock solid, reading the game superbly, producing strong tackles and intercepting flicks away to clear danger. Twice on these occasions, Cathal Cuddy prevented 2 clear cut goal chances.