Castletown make clear their intention of returning to the top table

Laois Shopping Centre Premier IHC Gr B Rd 1 

Castletown 7-26 

Rathdowney/Errill 2-13 

CASTLETOWN'S quest to return to the top table of Laois hurling began with a triumphant victory over Rathdowney/Errill in their PIHC opener on Wednesday evening in the LOETB Centre of Excellence.

After last year's relegation from the SHC last year they dropped down into the PIHC and came into the championship as hot favourites to return at the first time of asking, and they faced into last year's beaten finalists Rathdowney/Errill to kick off the campaign.

The weather conditions in recent weeks have played havoc with pitches all over the country and Pitch 1 in the COE was no different as the ground was rock hard, making the bounce very unpredictable for both sets of players.

Castletown were able to handle it much the better of the two however and 29 points split the teams at full-time as Rathdowney/Errill couldn't contain a rampant Castletown attack that saw nine different players combine for 7-24 from play.

Kyron Cuddy stole the show with four goals from open play, while Benny Reddin was also on fire on the inside line for The Village with 1-6 and Tadhg Cuddy was very effective in midfield.

Rathdowney/Errill did look impressive going forward at times with Paddy Hassett putting in a good shift from corner forward in hitting 1-2 from play, but their backs were under constant pressure once Castletown found their feet in the game and took control after a lack start.

Rathdowney/Errill made a bright start to the contest as they replied to Tadhg Cuddy's opener with points from Darren King and Aaron Costigan before Jordie Kavanagh broke inside for the first of nine goals in the game.

Conor Phelan and Kyron Cuddy hit back with points for Castletown before Reddin played Cuddy in for a goal and Cuddy followed it just moments later with a second green flag after a beautifully weighted flick into the net.

Points from Scott Pearson and Costigan reigned Castletown back in momentarily but they hit back immediately through Reddin, Martin Phelan, Jack Breen and Ryan Mullaney.

Castletown continued to dominate after the midway stage of the half with an excellent point from Jack Breen followed by a goal from Conor Phelan after breaking though two tackles.

The sides traded a brace of scores through Conor Walsh and Phelan to Costigan (2), but Rathdowney/Errill were dealt a killer blow when Martin Phelan hit a rocket into the net after tempers frayed in midfield and Castletown led 4-10 to 1-8 at the break.

Tadhg Cuddy opened the scoring again in the second half and Martin Phelan added another before Rathdowney/Errill gained a glimmer of hope with a brilliantly taken goal by Paddy Hassett.

Their hope was eradicated when Kyron Cuddy completed his hat-trick with another incredible touch and flick from close range.

Reddin continued to pile on the pressure with three excellent scores from play while Kyron and Tadhg Cuddy both added further to their tallies.

Costigan and Eoin Bourke raised a couple of flags before Castletown's sixth goal from Reddin with a rocketed shot from the right wing in the 47th minute.

Reddin, Breen and Tommy Goode tagged on further points for Castletown before Kyron Cuddy once again made light work of the Rathdowney/Errill backs to raise his fourth green flag.

With the game all but finished Castletown wheeled away to victory with late points from Reddin, Breen, Goode and Cuddy to get their campaign off to the perfect start.

Next up for Rathdowney/Errill will be a clash with Clough-Ballacolla while Castletown will be facing the other 'first team' in Group B, Colt-Shanahoe.

SCORERS:

Castletown: Kyron Cuddy 4-4 (0-1f, 0-1 65), Benny Reddin 1-6, Martin Phelan and Conor Phelan 1-2 each, Jack Breen 0-5, Tadhg Cuddy 0-3, Tommy Goode 0-2, Conor Walsh and Ryan Mullaney 0-1 each.

Rathdowney/Errill: Aaron Costigan 0-7 (0-3fs, 0-2 65s), Paddy Hassett 1-2, Jordie Kavanagh 1-0, James Keegan, Scott Pearson, Eoin Burke and Darren King 0-1 each.

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

Subs: Tommy Goode for C Peters (35m).

RATHDOWNEY/ERRILL: Ben Campion; Killian Carroll, Brian Campion, John Purcell; John Keane, Joe Fitzpatrick, Harry Wynne; Dan Bowe, James Keegan; Scott Pearson, Darren King, Oisin Moore; Jordie Kavanagh, Aaron Costigan, Paddy Hassett.

Subs: Eoin Bourke for Keane (ht), Vinnie Cleere for Carroll (42m).

REFEREE: John Lalor (Shanahoe)