Laois claim rare victory on Faithful soil
The Laois team that defeated Offaly in the opening round of the Celtic Challenge
Celtic Challenge
Laois 2-10
Offaly 0-15
THE Faithful Fields in Kilcormac was the venue on Friday evening last, for the latest chapter of Offaly v Laois hurling when they opposed each other in the opening round of the Celtic Challenge, a development competition for minor hurlers.
Offaly are again on the crest of a wave, and were looking forward to a National League decider on Sunday. Laois have played second fiddle to their neighbours in recent times and are due to play them in U/20 this week.
On a dry but cold evening the home team went ahead with a fine point by centre back James Dooley in the second minute. Offaly had the advantage of playing round one last week.
Laois settled down and in their first attack the forwards broke through the hosts defence and the Laois right corner forward James Fitzpatrick hammered high into the Offaly net. Laois second score was supplied by Borris-Kilcotton man, this time it was centre back Callum Jones. Laois were dominating and posted the next point after a good passing movement, midfielder Paddy Farrell made it 1-3 to 0-1 and ten minutes played. Offaly mentors made changes and hit back with good points by Darragh Gorman and Sean Devery.
Laois responded but hit three wides from play, Offaly pointed by Jack Collins from a free, Laois replied with like scores from Scott Kelly and Rory Standish, Offaly responded with points by Robert Landy and Glen Keaveney.
Offaly saw out the first half, dominating and picked off fine points by centre forward Glen Keaveney, Laois had points by Scott Kelly and Trumera man Bobby O’Connor Jack Collins and that left the teams locked together and in injury time Jack Collins regained the lead for the hosts, when the half time whistle sounded, it was Offaly who led 0-10 to 1-6.
Laois mentors had mixed feelings at the break, their charges dominated in the early stages and led by four points midway through the half but trailed at the end of the second quarter.
Offaly started well again and went two points clear after Robert Landy converted a free, Laois replied with a like score, Scott Kelly pointed from distance. Defences were dominating, Offaly were to add the next three points by Jack Collins, two placed balls and a good score from play saw the hosts lead by three entering the final ten minutes.
The electronic clock and scoreboard cut out and caused confusion. Laois sub Fergal Brennan pointed from a long distance, after another defence splitting movement Laois cut the gap to two points, time was running out and both sides missed good opportunities, then two minutes into injury time Laois launched an attack thirty metres out, Paddy Farrell went on a solo run and spotted Substitute Dan Bowe, he took a perfect pass and broke past a defender before unleashing a powerful ball beyond the Faithful keeper.
The referee sounded the final whistle, there was confusion but the referee indicated a one point victory for the O’Moore County, a rare victory on Faithful soil but Laois were thrilled, credit to both sides for a very entertaining and sporting contest, next up for the O’Moores is a trip to the Garden County this weekend.
SCORERS:
Laois: Jamie Fitzpatrick 1-0, Dan Bowe 1-0, Scott Kelly 0-3 (fs), Bobby O’Connor and Fergal Brennan 0-2 each, Rory Standish, Paddy Farrell and Calum Jones 0-1 each.
Offaly: Jack Collins 0-6 (0-4fs), Robert Landy 0-3, Glen Keaveney, Sean Devery and Campbell Naughton 0-2 each, James Dooley 0-1.
LAOIS: Shane Carroll (Portlaoise); Conor Hickey (Borris/Kilcotton), Darragh Keeshan (Borris/Kilcotton), Jacob Hilliard (Camross); Harry Donoghue (The Harps), Callum Jones (Borris/Kilcotton), Evan McWey (Ballypickas); Tadgh Hughes, Paddy Farrell (Clough/Ballacolla); Scott Kelly (Rosenallis), Bobby O’Connor (Trumera), Killian James (St Paul’s); Jamie Fitzpatrick (Ballinakill), Jack Mahon (Mountmellick), Rory Standish (Rathdowney/Errill).
Subs: Fergal Brennan for Donoghue (45m, inj), Dan Bowe for James (47m).
OFFALY: Ruebeno O’Meara; Niall Fitzgerald, Dylan Dunne, Peadar Ryan; Dara Carty, James Dooley, Callum Connolly; Liam Mulhare, Sean Devery; Darragh Gorman, Glen Keaveney, Jack Collins; Robert Landy. Campbell Naughton, Declan O’Meara.
Sub: Rory McIntyre for Mulhare (ht).
Referee: Frank Kelly (Roscommon)
