Laois Shopping Centre: SHC Round 1 Recap

Written By Laois PR Team

(Photo Credit: Paul Dargan)

Laois Shopping Centre: SHC Round 1 Recap

Format explained: There is no relegation in this years Laois Shopping Centre: Senior Hurling Club Championship. This is due to the new format being introduced next year for 2025’s SHC, which will see the competition expand to 10 teams. So this means that all 8 teams currently in the 2024 SHC, will again compete in the 2025 version alongside the 2 finalists from the Laois Shopping Centre: Premier Intermediate Hurling Club Championship. These 2 PIHC finalists of 2024 gain promotion to 2025’s SHC.

Knockout stage qualification: The 2 teams that finish top of each Group A and B will automatically qualify for the SHC Semi Final stage. 2nd and 3rd placed teams in both groups then will also qualify for the knockout stages and contest the quarter finals. Bottom placed finishers from both groups do not progress to the knockout stage but do not face relegation and both compete again next year at Senior level.

What’s next: As we review the SHC Round 1 games that have concluded below.

Next up in Round 2. The fixtures are as follows:

With the winners from the same groups meeting eachother and the defeated teams from the same groups meeting aswel.

Round 2 Pairings Confirmed:

Clough-Ballacolla vs The Harps – Group A

Rosenallis vs Abbeyleix – Group A

Portlaoise vs Rathdowney Errill – Group B

Castletown vs Camross- Group B

Round 1 Reviews 

Clough- Ballacolla vs Abbeyleix: Group A Round 1: in Colt GAA on Wednesday July 17th

Clough-Ballacolla: 0-31 (31)

Abbeyleix: 2-14 (20)

Standout players:

Clough-Ballacolla:

Willie Dunphy produced an excellent midfield performance throughout, with great talent on display and resulting in scoring 5 points from play. (3 of these scored from long distance) In the back line, corner back Cormac Hogan was very impressive defensively, whilst also adding an outstanding point from play, which was the result of a massive run forward up the field from Hogan, with the long run beginning in defence.

Abbeyleix:

Full forward Eoghan Fennelly and goalkeeper Enda Rowland were very accurate from dead balls throughout and done very well in their free taking duties. Fennelly scored 7 pts from frees (also 1-2 from play) plus Rowland struck 1-1 from frees. (A fantastic goal from Rowland with a free from the 21 m line). Left corner forward, Cormac Byrne contributed to his sides 2 goals, setting up Fennelly and winning the free for Rowland to put in the back of the net.

Rathdowney-Errill vs Camross: Group B Round 1: in LOETB COE on Thursday July 18th

Rathdowney-Errill: 4-21 (33)

Camross: 3-14 (23)

Standout players:

Rathdowney-Errill:

There was a great connection and understanding between Paddy Purcell and Ross King. This display of team work playing off passes to one another and outstanding skill from the 2, produced a style of free flowing and attacking hurling as together, they opened up the Camross defence and set eachother up for some incredible scores. Purcell: 2-3 from play and King: 0-9 (3 from play). In defence, half back Thep Fitzpatrick produced an immense work rate.

Camross:

The two midfielders Liam Delaney and Andrew Mortimer were brilliant for the entirety, despite defeat. Both players were very good at winning puckouts and made some great catches of the ball. They went on speedy runs and struck good long balls to their forwards from distance in midfield, Mortimer scored a lovely point also. Even when Rathdowney Errill dominated, Delaney and Mortimer never lacked effort and were constantly energetic and motivated.

The Harps vs Rosenallis: Group A Round 1: in LOETB COE on Friday July 19th

The Harps: 3-19 (28)

Rosenallis: 0-13 (13)

Standout players:

The Harps:

Midfielder Conor Brophy was a tower of strength throughout and right half forward Cathal Murphy was electric as he played out wide. Brophy showed lovely pace to run by his markers when he was in possession in midfield and made some excellent passes into the forward line resulting in scores. Both players caught some high balls perfectly and Murphy struck 2 points very well from play out wide, from difficult angles and distance.

Rosenallis:

Half back Donnacht Hartnett was very solid in defence, worked hard to win back the ball in the backline on several occasions and made runs forward after creating turnovers. He also scored an incredible point from a long range free in midfield. Midfielder John Lennon impressed with 3 incredible points from play, from out wide near the sideline and from way out in midfield. Lennon also won puckouts with strength and set up team mates in attack with some really good passes.

Portlaoise vs Castletown: Group B Round 1: in LOETB COE on Saturday July 20th

Portlaoise: 1-14

Castletown: 0-14

Standout players:

Portlaoise:

Half back Ciaran McEvoy worked very hard defensively, in a tight game where strong defending in particular and which he produced, was crucial for the win. Right half forward Ben Brennan, provided the attacking threat with a total 3 points from play, one scored from incredible distance and Brennan then also set up Cian Dowling Byrne for his goal, after Brennan launched in an excellent long ball resulting in the goal.

Castletown:

Goalkeeper Gearoid Gaughan was brilliant in the Castletown goal, with a massive save to prevent a Portlaoise goal and done very well also on puckouts. One of these puckouts set up the other standout player on the day, Conor Doran, who struck a fantastic point from midfield after winning the puckout. Doran finished with a total 3 points from play after a really impressive attacking display and was very good both winning possession and while in possession.