Castletown comfortably see off Colt-Shanahoe to remain in track for semi-final spot

Castletown 2-23 

Colt-Shanahoe 2-10 

CASTLETOWN made it two from two in the Laois Shopping Centre PIHC with a relatively comfortable victory over Colt-Shanahoe in O'Keeffe Park on Friday evening.

It’s a second win for championship favourites Castletown who will be facing Clough/Ballacolla in the final round with the hopes of finishing top of Group B and securing a semi-final berth, while Colt-Shanahoe are now under serious pressure in their final group game against Rathdowney/Errill, where a loss would see them subjected to a relegation playoff.

The sides met on the front pitch in Borris-in-Ossory in their Round 2 clash and though Colt-Shanahoe made life difficult early on for Castletown, a goal on the stroke of half time from Jack Breen put nine between the sides at the break.

While Colt-Shanahoe did keep in touch with Castletown during the first half, they were kept at arms' length for the most part thanks to scores from Conor Phelan, Kyron Cuddy and an opening minute goal from Tom Óg Phelan.

Castletown continued with a flurry of points in the second half as they continued to increase their lead throughout the second half with Conor Walsh putting in an excellent shift at midfield, landing three points from play as Castletown wheeled away to victory.

James Keyes was the standout man for Colt-Shanahoe with five points from play at centre-forward and was the fulcrum for most of their attacking play, while their backs did relatively well against an extremely potent Castletown attack.

Though Phelan did raise a green flag in the opening minute, it took just seconds for Colt-Shanahoe to reply when Ben McDonald caught a high ball in front of the posts and lashed it home.

Keyes then traded scores with Walsh in the aftermath and after a lack opening 10 minutes, the sides were level at 1-1 apiece, with both struggling with their aim in the early stages.

Scores from Kyron Cuddy, Benny Reddin and Tom Óg Phelan saw Castletown pull three ahead and despite a reply from Keyes they went on to increase the lead further with four in succession.

Kyron Cuddy slotted two 65s while Conor Phelan popped over a good brace from play, with Cuddy and Benny Reddin playing pivotal roles in the scores.

Colt-Shanahoe fired back with points from Keyes and Cullen Kirwan, though they were soon cancelled out by Phelan and Ryan Mullaney and Colt-Shanahoe were further hampered when Colm Kavanagh received a yellow card for a high shoulder on Phelan.

A brilliant move involving Martin Phelan and Benny Reddin was expertly finished with a goal from Jack Breen right on the stroke of half time to make it 2-10 to 1-4 to Castletown at half time.

Callum Peters was introduced at half time for Castletown and made an immediate impact with a well taken point before replies from Keyes and Nathan Dunne.

Castletown fired over again through Cuddy (3) and a brilliant score from Walsh before Colt-Shanahoe were given a jolt of hope when Dunne followed up a free with a very well taken goal when the ball bounced into his path in front of the net and he hammered it home.

Despite the celebrations of the Colt-Shanahoe contingent Castletown kept their composure and got back to work with a point from Cuddy after a delightful flick and that was followed by a great score by Martin Phelan after a good run from Mullaney.

The scoring continued through midfield duo Walsh and Tadhg Cuddy to increase the gap to thirteen points with ten minutes left on the clock.

Colt-Shanahoe lost Nathan Dunne to a nasty looking hand injury and as a result Keyes took over on the frees and slotted his first effort - from a separate foul.

Keyes added another good score from play before Cuddy hit back with a free and the Castletown scoring was completed by Peters and Phelan to see out the victory.

SCORERS:

Castletown: Kyron Cuddy 0-9 (0-5fs, 0-2 65s), Tom Óg Phelan 1-1 (0-1f), Conor Phelan and Conor Walsh 0-3 each, Jack Breen 1-0, Martin Phelan and Callum Peters 0-2 each, Ryan Mullaney, Benny Reddin and Tadhg Cuddy 0-1 each.

Colt-Shanahoe: James Keyes 0-7 (0-fs), Nathan Dunne 1-2 (0-2fs), Ben McDonald 1-0, Franky McEvoy 0-1.

CASTLETOWN: Gearoid Gaughan; Rory Kelly, Shane Phelan, Killian Cuddy; Ryan Mullaney, Ryan Peters, John Gaughan; Tadhg Cuddy, Conor Walsh; Jack Breen, Martin Phelan, Conor Phelan; Tom Óg Phelan, Benny Reddin, Kyron Cuddy.

Subs: Callum Peters for Reddin (ht), Tommy Goode for T Phelan (48m).

COLT-SHANAHOE: Brian McDermott; Dayle Bergin, Niall Brennan, Darren Cuddy; Cullen Kirwan, Colm Kavanagh, Robert Delaney; Dylan Cuddy, Cian Moffitt; Dan Butler, James Keyes, Paddy Farrell; Ben McDonald, Nathan Dunne, Franky McEvoy.

Subs: Billy Brennan for Moffitt (3-9m, temp), Billy Brennan for Moffitt (27m), Joshua Hickey for Bergin (33m, inj), Mark Hearns for Butler (40m), Tim Drennan for Dunne (45m, inj) Referee: Eoin Scully (Camross)