Heywood edge out Mountrath by the narrowest of margins to claim title

North Leinster PPS 2nd Year Hurling ‘B’ Final

Heywood Community School 0-12 

Mountrath Community School 1-8 

HEYWOOD CS were crowned North Leinster 'B' 2nd year hurling champions after overcoming Laois neighbours Mountrath CS in a hard-fought battle in the LOETB Centre of Excellence on Wednesday afternoon.

In awful conditions - wind, rain and sleet - Cillian Murphy was the hero for Heywood CS as he incredibly hit the winner with 52 minutes on the clock. Both sides did have chances at either end but failed to convert them in this closely fought contest.

Murphy was the difference maker as he hit five points, all from placed balls but he also controlled the middle of the park as he was stationed at centre back and won ample puck outs and also set up scoring opportunities.

It was Heywood that got off to the better start in this contest, they would fire over the first two points, the first from Darragh Kennedy who was excellent throughout as well. Murphy would follow up with his first free of the day.

Mountrath CS weren't going anywhere and eventually settled and drew level in a matter of minutes with two points of their own, Joseph Dunne who was Mountrath's best player hit over a fine effort, and it was followed up with a point from Cian Peters.

Both sides would then trade scores through Rory Heffernan for Mountrath CS while Cillian Murphy hit over his second point as his influence was growing.

Rory Heffernan then put his side in front for the first time with a brilliant score into the wind. But the victors hit back to go in front with a brace of frees from Murphy as there was nothing beside these two sides.

Before the break, both sides would trade points on two occasions as Murphy and Michael O'Keefe got the Heywood points while Joseph Dunne hit two for Mountrath CS as Heywood were out in front at half time 0-7 to 0-6.

Darragh Kennedy like in the first half opened up the scoring to extend the lead. Mountrath CS then took over for the next ten minutes and struck 1-2 without reply to put them in a winning position with 15 minutes left on the clock.

Dunne put one point between the sides, he then finished brilliantly into the back of the net and with Cian Peters following up with a point, their side now led by three points 1-8 to 0-8.

Heywood's response was an emphatic won as they reeled off three points in a row from Liam O'Donnell, Stephen Jones and Aaron O'Brien and it was anyone's game.

With ten minutes left on the clock Murphy hit a massive free from way out and landed it which turned out to be the winner.

Both sides battled hard but found scores hard to come by in the difficult conditions, but Heywood CS held out and were crowned champions.

SCORERS:

Heywood CS: Cillian Murphy 0-5 (fs), Darragh Kennedy and Michael O'Keefe 0-2 each, Liam O'Donnell, Stephen Jones, Aaron O'Brien 0-1 each.

Mountrath CS: Joseph Dunne 1-5 (0-1f), Cian Peters 0-2, Rory Heffernan 0-1.

HEYWOOD CS: Aaron Cuddy (Colt-Shanahoe); Harry Carney (Abbeyleix), Peter Keane (Abbeyleix), Conor Delaney; (Ballinakill),Stephen Jones (Abbeyleix), Cillian Murphy (The Harps), Liam Ellis (The Harps); Liam O'Donnell (Abbeyleix), Michael O'Keefe (Abbeyleix); Aaron O'Brien (Ballypickas), James O' Mara (Ballinakill), Darragh Kennedy (Ballinakill); Ruairi Bowe (Park/Ratheniska-Timahoe), Nathan Cuddy (Colt-Shanahoe), Daniel Knowles (Ballinakill).

Sub: Daniel Scully (Abbeyleix) for Knowles (40m).

MOUNTRATH CS: Aaron Kirwan (Mountrath); Simon Callaghan (Trumera), Hugh Keating (Ballyfin), Oisin Guilfoyle (Camross); Max Whelan (Portlaoise), Darragh Cuddy (Camross), Conall Keenan (Camross); Aaron Fitzpatrick (Castletown), Sean Meade (Mountrath); Lee Bredin (Camross), Cian Peters (Castletown), Rory Heffernan (Ballyfin); Jack Farrell (Mountrath), Tadgh Heffernan (Ballyfin), Joseph Dunne (Castletown).

Sub: Paddy Corby for Farrell (48m).