Camross put in a stunning second half performance to overturn nine-point half time deficit

Camross 2-24 

Rathdowney/Errill 1-23 

 CAMROSS overturned a nine-point deficit at half time to run out four point winners over Rathdowney/Errill in their Laois Shopping Centre SHC Round 2 fixture, the final game of the Saturday triple header in O'Moore Park.

Both sides came into the game off the back of opening round victories and it looked like Rathdowney/Errill would be making it two in a row as they dominated Camross in the first half and held a nine-point lead, with a goal coming from Paddy Purcell just before half time.

The second half turned around completely as Camross got to work early on to whittle down the gap with Mossy Keyes setting fire to it after the half time break, striking 1-4 in the second half after being well marshalled in the first.

Jack Kelly impressed again in midfield for Rathdowney/Errill while Mark Kavanagh was top notch on placed balls, but Camross just overpowered them down the stretch with the introductions of Gearoid Burke and Liam Delaney proving crucial.

Zane Keenan raised the opening white flag from a free for Zamross but Rathdowney/Errill went on form from the off and raced two ahead with a points from Micheal Cleary, James Ryan and Tadgh Dowling within five minutes.

A score from Tom Cuddy halted their progress momentarily before another three flags in a row went up at the Abbeyleix end.

Dowling got his second of the game, Jack Kelly his first from midfield and Mark Kavanagh was on the mark from a 65 before Cuddy hit back with his own second point after good work by Keenan in the build up.

The sides then traded a brace of scores each with Kavanagh and Ray Bowe successful for Rathdowney/Errill before a brace of Keenan frees cancelled out their efforts.

Tadgh Dowling was on fire last week against Ballinakill and he carried his form through to this one with another brilliant score before two frees from Kavanagh with a reply from Zane Keenan in between.

Rathdowney/Errill were making life very hard for the Camross forwards with some tough defending, keeping Mossy Keyes and James Cuddy under very tight watch which limited the ball getting inside to Mark Dowling so Camross were forced to strike from distance.

Meanwhile, Rathdowney/Errill's forwards continued to punish with a point each from Cleary and Kavanagh while Jack Kelly launched one over from midfield after dogged work by his backs to win back possession from a ruck.

Keenan cut the gap to six points just as one minute of injury time was indicated, but that minute left time for Rathdowney/Errill to get the ball up to Dowling who played it to Paddy Purcell who was operating as a full forward and he lashed it home to make it 1-14 to 0-8 at half time.

Jack Kelly initially increased the gap with a point to open the second half but Camross came back firing with a vengeance, striking the next five points in a row.

Zane Keenan began the run with a free before James Cuddy struck from play and Mossy Keyes landed two excellent points as the spaces began to open up for him, and Eoin Gaughan belted over a long range free.

The Camross momentum dipped for a period as Rathdowney/Errill looked to solidify their lead once again as Kavanagh slotted two frees either side of an excellent score from Purcell.

Liam Delaney and Gearoid Burke made big impacts off the bench and the changes paid off immediately with a point from Delaney before Burke played a big role in a point for Collier.

Further damage came from Collier moments later when James Cuddy's saved effort bounced straight into his path and he fleeced the rebound into the net.

The sides traded a trio of scores in the aftermath with two points from Keenan frees and a good score by James Cuddy from play, but they were kept at bay thanks to scores from Kelly Kavanagh, keeping four between the teams.

Mossy Keyes took over the free taking duties once Keenan was subbed off and he was successful with his first attempt before adding to it with a brilliant goal after good build up work by Aaron Carroll and Gearoid Burke, bringing the sides back level.

Eoin Gaughan nudged Camross in front for the first time with a good score from play before Kavanagh levelled again, though that would be the final score for Rathdowney/Errill.

Camross upped the gears and pulled away down the stretch with scores from Liam Delaney, Keyes, Gaughan and Mark Dowling to complete the incredible comeback.

SCORERS:

Camross: Zane Keenan 0-8 (0-7fs), Mossy Keyes 1-4 (0-1f), Ciaran Collier 1-2, Eoin Gaughan 0-3 (0-2fs), Tom Cuddy, James Cuddy and Liam Delaney 0-2 each, Mark Dowling 0-1.

Rathdowney/Errill: Mark Kavanagh 0-11 (0-10fs, 0-1 65), Paddy Purcell 1-1, Tadgh Dowling 0-3, Jack Kelly 0-4, Micheal Cleary 0-2, James Ryan and Ray Bowe 0-1 each.

CAMROSS: Tadhg Doran; Conor Mortimer, Darragh Duggan, Aaron Carroll; Eoghan Cuddy, Cathal Cuddy, Tom Cuddy; Eoin Gaughan, Odhran Phelan; Zane Keenan, Ciaran Collier, Dan Delaney; Mossy Keyes, Mark Dowling, James Cuddy.

Subs: Liam Delaney for D Delaney (41m), Gearoid Burke for Phelan (41m), Darren Drennan for Keenan (55m).

RATHDOWNEY/ERRILL: Damien Madden; Shane Madden, Kevin O'Dea, David Poynton; Shane Bracken, Dylan Carroll, Thep Fitzpatrick; Padraig Rafter, Jack Kelly; Paddy Purcell, Mark Kavanagh, James Ryan; Micheal Cleary, Tadgh Dowling, Ray Bowe.

Subs: Jack Dowling for R Bowe (48m), Paddy McCane for Cleary (50m).

Referee: Brian Farrell (The Harps)