Laois Shopping Centre: SHC Round 5 Recap

Clough Ballacolla v The Harps

Clough Ballacolla: 1-20

The Harps: 3-12

The Harps: Cody Comerford delivered towering, accurate clearances. His distribution stretched the field with real class. One such ball directly created the penalty chance. Which was then finished wonderfully by Podge Delaney. Michael Lanigan produced a superb penalty save at the other end. His long puckouts found forwards with precision. Each delivery gave attackers space to strike. Mark Downey impressed after coming on at half time. He scored 1-1 in a lively display in the 2nd half, an immediate impact sub with great attacking flow to his game. Downey’s sharpness made him stand out.

Clough Ballacolla: Joseph Pearson was commanding in defence. First out to loose ball and he won high ball with authority throughout. Interceptions made stopped certain Harps opportunities. Cathal Dunne produced excellent saves in goal. His quick reflexes denied clear goal chances. Stephen Bergin finished with an outstanding 0-13. Distribution from him was sharp and accurate. Twelve frees were struck with flawless accuracy. His long-range strikes showed superb technique .His leadership in attack inspired teammates. Aidan Corby also worked tirelessly in the half forward line.

Abbeyleix v Camross

Abbeyleix: 0-16

Camross: 1-19

Abbeyleix:

Ciaran Byrne drove his side forward with relentless, powerful runs through the defence. His strength and bravery allowed him to break tackles, take on men directly, and create scores with clever passing. Ciaran Byrne’s flawless first touch and control stood out under pressure. In defence, Mark Cahill was composed and solid, cutting out danger, sweeping possession, and producing excellent blocks to prevent some attacks. Up front, Cormac Byrne led the attack superbly, tallying 0-9 overall (0-5 frees, 0-1 from a 65).

Camross:

Liam Delaney impressed with tireless work rate across midfield, winning all both high and low ball that came his direction as well as securing puckouts from both ends. His link play into the forwards was excellent, with measured long passes setting up attacks. Zane Keenan showed composure and accuracy, striking 0-10 (0-9 frees) and drawing frees himself with his sharp movement and pace, drawing fouls. In attack, James Cuddy gave constant trouble to Abbeyleix, capping off his lively performance with 1-1 from play.

Rathdowney Errill v Portlaoise

Rathdowney-Errill: 1-27

Portlaoise: 3-11

Rathdowney-Errill were solid at the back, with Liam O’Connell excelling in the full-back line as he dominated the high ball, made key blocks to deny goal chances, and cleared with precision. Tadgh Dowling drove the team forward, carrying possession with purpose, creating openings, and chipping in with 1-2. Jack Kelly’s pace was a constant threat, linking play smartly from half-forward and landing three points. Inside, Mark Kavanagh proved clinical, converting 12 frees and adding three from play to finish top scorer.

For Portlaoise, James Conroy impressed with tireless movement. He won aerial duals and possession, slipped clever hand passes into space, and directly created scores including Conor Raggett’s goal, while also firing over a fine point himself. DJ White stood out on his return as he added two spectacular scores (0-2) from difficult angles under pressure, showcasing composure. Aaron Bergin was lethal in attack, finding the net twice from play and hitting 6 points too (1-5 from frees.)

Borris in Ossory-Killcotton v Rosenallis

Borris in Ossory-Killcotton: 1-15

Rosenallis: 2-17

Borris in Ossory-Killcotton:

Aaron Dunphy led the attack superbly, showing great movement both on and off the ball while punishing Rosenallis with deadly accuracy from placed balls at all ranges and angles. In defence, Philip Tynan was outstanding, excelling in man-marking duties and applying relentless pressure to regain possession, consistently winning high ball and frees out. PJ Scully also made a major impact after his introduction at half-time, chipping in with three points, including one from a free, to keep the scoreboard ticking.

Rosenallis produced a performance full of fitness and plenty of flair. Joey Shelley and Fiachra C. Fennell combined effectively in attack, linking passes with pace and pressing hard to force turnovers that created scoring chances. Shane Farrell impressed at the back with many interceptions and swift clearances to clear danger and launch immediate attacking chances in single plays. Up front, Joey Keating’s tally of 2-2, including two superb goals from play, underlined his threat.

Castletown v Ballinakill

Castletown: 2-18

Ballinakill: 2-19

Castletown: Benny Reddin stood out at full forward for his superb high catching from long deliveries before finishing calmly to the net with a well-taken goal from play and another 0-2 from play. In defence, Tommy Goode was solid throughout in the half back line, consistently winning back possession and linking play effectively as the link when Castletown transitioned from defence to attack. Up front, Conor Doran caused endless problems for the opposition, registering an impressive 1-5 from play, striking outstanding scores at key stages, and constantly driving forward with purpose.

Ballinakill produced some really notable performances in what was a great and hard working display: particularly through the mighty influence of Gearoid Lynch, who hit 0-3 from play and dominated large spells in midfield, winning vital possession from both general play and puckouts. Brian Duggan was a reliable playmaker, scoring 0-4 (0-2 from play, 0-1 free, 0-1 65) while sending pinpoint high balls into his teammates. In defence, Ethan Drury impressed with tireless work in the half back line, frequently emerging from tackles with possession and launching attacks.