McDonald goal inspires Colt-Shanahoe into last right

Colt-Shanahoe 1-17 

Rathdowney/Errill 0-17 

COLT-Shanahoe secured their place in the quarter-finals of the Laois Shopping Centre Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship after overcoming Rathdowney/Errill by three points in an absorbing contest in Durrow on Saturday evening.

In a game that remained in the balance until the closing moments, Colt-Shanahoe showed impressive resilience to withstand a spirited Rathdowney/Errill comeback and claim a deserved victory.

The encounter revived memories of last year's dramatic championship clash between the sides, which required a replay after a timekeeping error before Rathdowney/Errill eventually advanced. This time it was Colt-Shanahoe who emerged on the right side of the result, earning a measure of revenge and a place in the knockout stages.

On an excellent playing surface in Durrow, Colt-Shanahoe made the brighter start with points from Mark Hearns and Dale Bergin. Rathdowney/Errill quickly settled, however, as Aaron Costigan struck three points and Paddy Hassett added another to push them ahead.

The opening period was a closely fought affair with neither side able to establish a significant advantage. Bergin continued to keep the scoreboard moving for Colt-Shanahoe while Paddy Farrell, Robert Delaney, Mark Hearns and Ben McDonald also chipped in. Rathdowney/Errill replied through Hassett, Costigan and Joe Fitzpatrick to remain firmly in contention.

By half-time, just a single point separated the teams with Colt-Shanahoe holding a narrow 0-9 to 0-8 lead.

The decisive spell arrived immediately after the restart. Colt-Shanahoe struck four unanswered points inside the opening five minutes of the second half. Bergin opened the scoring before Frankie McEvoy and two excellent efforts from Paddy Farrell stretched the margin to five points and gave their side vital momentum.

Rathdowney/Errill endured a difficult start to the half and had to wait until the 43rd minute for their first score after the interval, another point from the influential Hassett. Jack Delaney responded for Colt-Shanahoe, but the introduction of Scott Pearson helped inject fresh energy into the Rathdowney/Errill attack.

Pearson landed two points from play and, after Bergin and Costigan exchanged frees, the gap had been reduced to three points entering the final 10 minutes.

The game's defining moment followed soon after. Ben McDonald gathered possession from a high delivery, burst clear of the Rathdowney/Errill defence and rifled an excellent finish to the net. Bergin then converted a superb long-range '65 to leave seven points between the sides and place Colt-Shanahoe firmly in control.

Rathdowney/Errill refused to surrender. Two points from Fitzpatrick and further scores from Costigan and Oisin Smeaton reduced the deficit and set up a tense finish.

Bergin added an injury-time free to keep Colt-Shanahoe in front, but there was still late drama. Rathdowney/Errill almost found the goal they desperately needed only for goalkeeper Brian McDermott to produce a brilliant save from Paddy Hassett.

That intervention proved crucial as Colt-Shanahoe survived more than five minutes of added time to secure a hard-earned victory.

The win sends Colt-Shanahoe through to a quarter-final clash with the losers of Sunday's meeting between Camross and Clonad, while Rathdowney/Errill must now prepare for a relegation final against the losers of Mountmellick and Clonaslee-St Manman's.

SCORERS:

Colt-Shanahoe: Dale Bergin 0-7 (0-4fs, 0-2 65s), Paddy Farrell 0-4, Ben McDonald 1-1, John Hearns 0-2 (0-1f), Robert Delaney, Frankie McEvoy and Jack Delaney 0-1 each.

Rathdowney/Errill: Aaron Costigan 0-6 (0-2fs), Paddy Hassett 0-5, Joe Fitzpatrick 0-3, Scott Pearson 0-2, Oisin Smeaton 0-1.

COLT-SHANAHOE: Brian McDermott; Dan Butler, Niall Brennan, Darren Cuddy; Robert Delaney, Colm Kavanagh, Cullen Kirwan; Billy Brennan, Mark Hearns; Dale Bergin, Jack Delaney, Paddy Farrell; Frankie McEvoy, Dylan Cuddy, Ben McDonald.

Subs: Brian Guilfoyle for Dylan Cuddy (48m), Aaron McGowan for McEvoy (63m).

RATHDOWNEY/ERRILL: Ben Campion; Killian Carroll, Brian Campion, Marc Treacy; John Purcell, Jimmy Corrigan, John Keane; James Keegan, Patrick Wright; Harry Campion, Joe Sherman, Darren King; Aaron Costigan, Joe Fitzpatrick, Paddy Hassett.

Subs: Scott Pearson for Keegan (ht), Eoin Bourke for H Campion (36m), Dan Bowe for Wright (36m), Oisin Smeaton for King (43m).

Referee: Ronan Devaney (Camross)