Written By Laois PR Team
Photo credit: Paul Dargan
Laois Shopping Centre: SHC Round 2 Recap.
Firstly, we explain the knockout permutations for each team as we head into the conclusion of the group stages next. (Round 3).
Below this, we review the games from Round 2.
What’s next?:
Round 3 Fixtures
Group A:
Clough-Ballacolla vs Rosenallis
The Harps vs Abbeyleix
Group B:
Portlaoise vs Camross
Rathdowney-Errill vs Castletown
Group A: Permutations
The only fixture with all to play for in Round 3 will be: The Harps vs Abbeyleix. Both teams have qualified for the quarter finals stage already, but in Round 3 they will play for the 2nd and 3rd group places, which will decide their seedlings and their opponents for the quarter finals. The winner will take the 2nd place spot and the defeated team will take the 3rd place spot.
Regardless of the result of their Round 3 game: Clough-Ballacolla are now through to the semi finals as 1st placed group finishers. (on head-to-head rule). Rosenallis cannot progress from the group to the knockout stages after defeats to The Harps and Abbeyleix.
Group B: Permutations:
Castletown are the only side who cannot progress to the knockout stages from this group, after defeats to Portlaoise and Camross.
However, for the rest it is all to play for. Any of the 3 of Camross, Portlaoise or Rathdowney-Errill, can all still progress to the semi final stage pending Round 3 results. With just the 1 semi final spot up for grabs, it will go to group toppers after the conclusion of Round 3. All sides are currently guaranteed a knockout stage place. At the end of Round 3, the group winners will go to the semi final. 2nd place and 3rd place group finishers will go to the quarter finals.
Group Standings after the end of Round 2:
Group A:
Group B:
Clough-Ballacolla vs The Harps: Group A Round 2 on Friday August 2nd in Laois Hire O’Moore Park
Clough-Ballacolla: 1-22 (25)
The Harps: 1-15 (18)
Standout Players
Clough Ballacolla:
Picky Maher was reliably on target with crucial scores at vital points in the game, including to give Clough-Ballacolla an earned lead in the latter stages of the 2nd half. (Total 1-8, penalty goal). Full of pace, Willie Dunphy won the penalty and some frees. Darren Maher & Joe Corby both worked hard defensively and combined effectively, made high clean catches and had awareness to intercept the ball. Darren Maher with an accurately quick hand pass, set up Joe Corby with his pace to score a lovely point from play. Jordan Walshe was outstanding, got (0-3) all from incredible distance and made super defensive catches.
The Harps:
Put up a good fight to Clough-Ballacolla and lead by 1 with 20 mins to go. Standout scores of the 1st half. A free from 50m out and on the sideline, scored by Michael Lanigan, (Total 1-7, penalty goal) who was brilliantly accurate throughout. Cathal Murphy scored a stunning point from 80m out. Michael Lanigan with composure, slotted home a penalty goal as a result of a fantastic ball in from the impressive Eoghan Doheny in which the highly alert James Duggan (scored 0-2) jumped to collect and won the penalty. Padraic Dunne was constantly lively at full back with successful crucial blocks with his hurl to stop Clough-Ballacolla shots.
Camross vs Castletown: Group B Round 2 on Saturday August 3rd in Laois Hire O’Moore Park
Camross: 1-17 (20)
Castletown: 1-13 (16)
Standout players:
Camross:
Goalkeeper Tadgh Doran is still at the top of his game, after he produced some wonderfully stunning saves which ultimately sealed the win. 3 saves in the 2nd half, 2 of these saves, were point blank range and both in the last 5 minutes of the game to protect Camross’ 3 point lead at the time. The combination in attack of Eoghan Cuddy (0-4 from play), Mark Dowling and Zane Keenan (1-5) produced a free flowing style of hurling. Keenan’s lovely finish from the penalty spot was set up and won by Dowling, who was unlucky to have his own goal effort from play, hit the post. Dowling also set up Eoghan Cuddy with one of his excellent scores.
Castletown: Castletown reduced the deficit from 9 points down to 3 points in the last 20 minutes. Full forward Tadgh Cuddy (1-2) however, put in a fine performance from the outset, working hard to win possession and set up his sides brilliant opening score, by the lively Conor Doran. Cuddy got out in front of his marker to anticipate and held off defensive pressure, to collect a perfectly long ball driven into the edge of the square by Shane Phelan, (0-1) and Cuddy finished with a 2nd half goal. Goalkeeper Gearoid Gaughan made an outstanding save using his feet and scored a fabulous long range point from midfield.
Portlaoise vs Rathdowney-Errill: Group B Round 2 on Saturday August 3rd in Laois Hire O’Moore Park
Portlaoise: 3-23 (32)
Rathdowney-Errill: 2-26 (32)
Standout players:
Portlaoise:
DJ White was very lively throughout with 2 points scored from play, with great pace and the ability to get around his markers, alongside setting up his teammates for brilliant scores. White worked hard to set up James Conroy’s fantastic 1st goal (1st half) and Eddie Critchley’s great point from play (2nd half). Cormac Rigney (1-3) and James Conroy (2-1) were a constant threat going forward with both strength and speed. Aaron Bergin was exceptionally accurate from frees with a total 0-10 (5 frees) Standout scores were 2 superb strikes from frees, late in the 2nd half, both from 65m. (sideline & midfield)
Rathdowney-Errill:
Liam O’Connell was really solid in defence throughout and helped keep his side in the game at vital moments when Portlaoise dominated. Intercepted dangerous balls, cleared a ball off the ground in the box to put it out of play, created a turnover and won a high ball in the box intended for Portlaoise’s Cian Dowling Byrne. Impressive in attack from play were Brandon McGinley (0-4) & Eric Killeen (2-1), to overturn Portlaoise’s 6 pt lead. Ross King proved calm and experienced when he confidently struck vital frees under pressure, including the last puck of the game, to get the draw. (0-13, 10 frees)
Abbeyleix vs Rosenallis: Group A Round 2 on Sunday August 4th in Laois Hire O’Moore Park
Abbeyleix: 3-16 (25)
Rosenallis: 0-22 (22)
Standout players:
Abbeyleix:
Enda Rowland (1-3) was exceptional. His usual long range striking ability combined with a strong wind, produced some unbelievable scores to watch. A point and a goal scored from a puckout, like his puckout goal last year in the semi final vs Rathdowney-Errill, Rowland found the net again here in both similar and superb fashion. Aaron Carroll (also scored a point from play) produced the defensive moment of the game with a sensational block on Jimmy Hyland’s goal effort, vital to the 3 point win. Cormac and Colin Byrne were both electric in attack throughout with immense speed into space going forward and scored 1-1 each.
Rosenallis:
Went into the break with a 10 point deficit and Abbeyleix made it difficult to break through on attack but Rosenallis deserve praise for how they responded to this setback in the 2nd half. They showed determination to fight back and scored 5 points without reply to reduce the deficit to 4 points with 5 minutes remaining and defeated by just 3 points in the end. This was courtesy of an in form David Dooley with pin point accuracy from frees and 65’s (0-10, 6 frees). John Lennon (0-4) like in Round 1, gave a strong performance in midfield again, with well worked scores and hard work rate. Jimmy Hyland (0-3) was energetic in attack, unlucky to not score a goal.
By Laois PRO Mon 5th Aug
