Can Clonad claim provincial honours 50 years after they first tried

CAMROSS and Clonad led the Laois charge in Leinster in the early 1970s when Clonad were first into the fray but losing to then Offaly champions St Rynagh’s.

Twelve months later Camross travelled to Birr and beat the Offaly champions in their first outing.

Clonad would not appear again until they beat Portlaoise in the county final in 1992. In Leinster they beat Castletown-Geoghan after a replay. In the second round they were knocked out by the Wexford champions Oulart-the-Ballagh by 3-10 to 1-9, played in Portlaoise. Oulart went on to claim a first provincial title. Clonad would not compete in the province again, that is until last Saturday in O’Toole Park, Dublin.

What a way to make your return to the province.

After so many disappointments since they were relegated from senior, last Saturday was a date to remember for the “Sash” David O’Brien has contributed greatly to the resurrection of one of the oldest clubs in the County, this year they are celebrating one hundred and ten years of existence.

In recent years they have competed at intermediate level in the Leinster League, claiming the title on a few occasions. In the early rounds of the championship, Clonad showed signs of improvement in every game.

Prior to that they were crowned League champions, it may have been Division four but beating Rathdowney/Errill by nine points was no mean achievement, no less than ten players contributed the scoring that evening.

On to the championship and after some impressive displays they qualified to meet Slieve-Bloom who were among the title favourites. Played in Rathdowney Clonad announced their intentions, seven different scorers and a total of 3-16.

Mountrath were surprise opponents in the county final, again Clonad set out their stall and long before the final whistle, the Hetherington cup was headed to Clonad for the first time ever.

Laois champions at this level for the first time ever, now they are an hour away from being crowned provincial champions. Nobody will be getting carried away. Good weekend was completed on Sunday afternoon when Senior champions Clough-Ballacolla overcame the Westmeath champions, Castletown-Geoghan who always struggle against Laois opposition since losing to Clonad in 1992.

It does not get any easier for the Laois champions, next up is trip to Nowlan Park facing the Kilkenny Kings winners of their first Provincial title in 19-78 Ballyhale Shamrocks.

Camross may not be involved in hurling but the Ladies are taking their place in style, on last Saturday they handed out a lesson to the Kildare “Queens” Naas, scoring six goals now taking on Na Fianna of Meath in the Provincial decider.