Dwyer’s double inspires Clough/Ballacolla comeback

Laois Shopping Centre Premier IHC Gr B Rd 2 

Clough/Ballacolla 3-19 

Rathdowney/Errill 1-16 

Clough/Ballacolla produced a superb second-half display to overturn a three-point deficit at half-time and claim an impressive nine-point victory over Rathdowney/Errill in an entertaining Premier Intermediate Hurling round two game on Sunday afternoon in Colt GAA.

Rathdowney/Errill led 0-13 to 0-10 at half-time, but Clough/Ballacolla dominated the second period, firing in three goals and limiting their opponents to just 1-3.

Clough/Ballacolla pointed the opening score through Padraigh Brennan before James Keegan responded for Rathdowney-Errill. Brennan remained influential in the early exchanges, adding another point before converting a 65 to leave his side in front. Aaron Costigan opened his account with a free for Rathdowney/Errill, while Paddy Hassett also found the target raising a white flag.

Kevin Hyland kept Clough/Ballacolla ticking over with a free before Gary Whelan pointed from play, but Rathdowney/Errill began to gain momentum through scores from John Keane, another Costigan free and Oisin Moore.

An excellent score from Sean Corby, after Peter Rafter’s pinpoint puck-out found him in space, helped stem the tide, while Chris Rafter and Hyland, with a superb long-range effort, pushed Clough/Ballacolla ahead. Hyland also converted a free and John Coonan added another point, but Rathdowney/Errill finished the half strongly. Keegan, Joe Sherman, Jordan Kavanagh, Joe Fitzpatrick, a second Kavanagh point and a Costigan free ensured they held a took 0-13 to 0-10 advantage at the interval, despite Clough/Ballacolla’s promising opening.

The game changed completely after the restart as Clough/Ballacolla emerged with renewed intensity. Gary Whelan, Brennan from a free and John Coonan all pointed to erase the deficit before the first goal arrived. Excellent play from Canice Coonan created the opening for John Dwyer, who finished confidently to the net and suddenly Clough/Ballacolla were well in control.

Hyland added another free before Kavanagh briefly halted their momentum with a point for Rathdowney/Errill. However, Clough/Ballacolla struck for a second goal soon afterwards. A brilliant delivery from Whelan released Dwyer through on goal. His initial effort was well saved, but the forward reacted quickest to bury the rebound and extend his side’s advantage.

Brennan added another free before Rathdowney/Errill gave themselves renewed hope when Paddy Hassett unleashed a superb strike from outside the ‘D’ that flew into the net. Corby replied with a point for Clough/Ballacolla, while Keegan and Costigan (free) kept Rathdowney/Errill in contention entering the closing stages.

The final ten minutes belonged to Clough/Ballacolla. Hyland continued his excellent afternoon with two more points, one from play and one from a free, before Ben Delaney also got on the scoresheet. The victory was sealed in style when Whelan once again turned provider, picking out Rafter, who finished clinically to the net for Clough/Ballacolla’s third goal of the afternoon. It capped an outstanding second-half performance from Clough/Ballacolla and a deserved nine-point victory.

With two wins from two for Clough/Ballacolla they now face into a winner takes all round three clash with Castletown where the victorious side will go straight into the semi-finals while the loser will earn a home quarter final. Rathdowney-Erill on the other hand now face Colt-Shanahoe with both sides having lost their first two games, the winner will advance to a quarter-final while the losers will drop into a relegation playoff.

SCORERS:

Clough/Ballacolla: John Dwyer 2-0, Kevin Hyland 0-6 (0-4fs), Padraigh Brennan 0-5 (0-1f, 0-1 65), Chris Rafter 1-1, Gary Whelan, Sean Corby and John Coonan 0-2 each, Ben Delaney 0-1.

Rathdowney/Errill: Paddy Hassett 1-1, Aaron Costigan 0-4 (fs), Jordan Kavanagh and James Keegan 0-3 each, Joe Sherman 0-2, John Keane, Oisin Moore, and Joe Fitzpatrick 0-1 each.

CLOUGH/BALLACOLLA: Peter Rafter; Eoin Duggan, Emmet Saunders, Sean Hayes; Paddy Meade, Kyle Handcock; Padraigh Brennan, Ben Delaney; John Coonan, Sean Corby, Kevin Hyland; Gary Whelan, John Dwyer, Chris Rafter.

Sub: Canice Coonan for Saunders (ht).

RATHDOWNEY/ERRILL: Ben Campion; Harry Wynne, Ben Campion, John Purcell; Jimmy Corrigan, Joe Fitzpatrick, Oisin Moore; John Keane, James Keegan; Harry Campion, Joe Sherman, Jordan Kavanagh; Aaron Costigan, Paddy Hassett, Darren King.

Subs: Marc Tracey for Moore (43m), Oisin Smeaton for King (45m), Daniel Bowe for Hassett (46m), Patrick Wright for Kavanagh (51m), Gearoid Campion for Costigan (58m).

Referee: Ronan Devaney (Castletown)