Champions Portlaoise turn the tide with four-goal show
Portlaoise who were crowned U/15 'C' hurling champions on Saturday in LOETB Centre of Excellence
PORTLAOISE were crowned Midlands Park Hotel Under-15 ‘C’ Hurling champions after a superb second-half display saw them pull clear of Colt-Shanahoe and secure an eight-point victory in the LOETB Centre of Excellence on Saturday morning.
It was a game that ebbed and flowed throughout, with Colt-Shanahoe taking a 2-4 to 1-4 lead into the break, but Portlaoise came flying out of the blocks after half-time.
They hit 2-3 without reply in a devastating spell to turn the game on its head, with Harry Dwyer and Sam York finding the net before Logan Fitzpatrick struck his second late on to seal the title.
Colt-Shanahoe battled to stay in touch, with Nathan Cuddy keeping them within striking distance, but Portlaoise had too much firepower in the closing stages as they added further scores to finish as deserved champions.
Harry Dwyer got the scores going with a point from play for Portlaoise to establish an early lead. Colt-Shanahoe hit back with two points through two points from Nathan Cuddy as the lead swapped hands.
Portlaoise then took control for the next seven minutes with Adam Sythes and Sam York pointing for Portlaoise.
The first goal of the game came in the 17th minute with a brilliant finish from Logan Fitzpatrick to give Portlaoise a four-point lead.
It was followed up by a point from Sam York, but Colt-Shanahoe would finish the half the stronger.
Malachy Kirwan sparked a purple patch with a goal which was followed up by a Seosamh Lalor point.
Their second goal came soon after through Shane Dunne to give Colt-Shanahoe the lead coming up to half time.
Nathan Cuddy who was brilliant throughout scored the last point of the half to leave the scores at 2-4 to 1-4 to Colt-Shanahoe.
Portlaoise came out firing in the second half and were ruthless in front of goal. Harry Dwyer got the scoring underway through a goal to level matters at the start of the half.
It was followed up with three points in a row through Sam York and a brace of frees from Noah Clear.
They then hit a crucial goal in the 47th minute through Sam York to give Portlaoise the lead with the scores 3-7 to 1-4 with 13 minutes left.
Colt-Shanahoe finally got off the mark in the 50th minute and would get three in a row to get back into the contest. Nathan Cuddy delivered the three points as it was going down to the wire with five minutes remaining.
Portlaoise settled again and would hit the fatal blow with a second goal from Logan Fitzpatrick to finish the game as a contest with two minutes remaining.
Max De Plasa and Noah Clear added two further points as Portlaoise were crowned champions.
Portlaoise: Logan Fitzpatrick 2-0, Sam York 1-3, Harry Dwyer 1-1, Noah Clear 0-3 (fs), Adam Sythes and Max De Plasa 0-1 each.
Colt-Shanahoe: Nathan Dunne 0-6 (0-3fs), Malachy Kirwan and Shane Dunne 1-0 each Seosamh Lalor 0-1.
Adam Keogh, Finn Byrne, Sam Breen, Rhys Cuddy; Fionan Ging, Odhran Thornton, Tom Priede; Noah Clear, Dylan Fitzpatrick; Adam Sythes, Max De Plasa, Logan Fitzpatrick; Sam York, Harry Dwyer, Eoin McNamara.
Subs: Daniel Cushen, Tom Delaney, Kian Glynn, Oisin Delaney, Paudie Fox, Aidan Scully.
Ruairi O'Connor; James Lalor, Tadgh Carter, Sean Gormley; Flynn O'Keefe, Ben Fitzpatrick, Seosamh Lalor; Adam Lalor, Brian Doogue; Ryan Kirwan, Nathan Cuddy, Lakshmi Maforimbo; Malachy Kirwan, Aaron Cuddy, Shane Dunne.
Subs: Jimmy Fitzpatrick, Ollie Merriman, Oliver Hogan, Peyton Mooney.
Alan Doheny (Castletown)
