Mountrath make light of the condition and St Brendan’s challenge to take Leinster title

Leinster PPS Junior ‘A1’ Hurling Final 

Mountrath CS 3-21 

St Brendan’s CS Birr 2-16 

Despite the best efforts of Storm Bram, pitch changes and a battling St Brendan’s Community School, Birr, Mountrath Community School were crowned Leinster PPS Junior ‘A1’ hurling champions.

The weather saw preparations for the game thrown into turmoil. Originally been scheduled to be played in Tullamore, the was changed to Ballinamere before another switch saw the game eventually played on St Loman’s 3G astro pitch in Mullingar. Even then there were discussion as to whether the game could or should go ahead.

It is a credit to both teams that despite the horrendous conditions that they served up such an entertaining game.

With the conditions favouring Birr on the restart, St Brendan’s started well tacking on a few points. But their momentum was brought to a shuddering halt when LJ Cuddy found the back of the net fort a second time.

But Birr kept picking off scores but again they were halted in their efforts when Mountrath struck for a third goal with substitute Luke Delaney raising the green flag.

Mountrath were now firmly on their way to claiming the title and even with Birr scoring two late goals there was never any danger that they might end up on the losing side and had eight points to spare at the final whistle.

This is the third time that Mountrath have won this title, the others being 2018 and 2023.

Obviously LJ Cuddy was the star on the day accounting for 2-7 but this vicvtory was a real team effort.

In defence the Camross duo of Tadhg Lowry and Aaron Bredin were very much to the fore as was Borris-Kilcotton’s Paudie Fahy. Tadhg Lowry put in a very impressive display at centre back while wing back Aaron Bredin managed to get forward and score four points.

And in the challenging conditions Conor Sweeney and Darragh Mortimer controlled midfield as well as helping out in defence and attack.

Another to make light of the conditions was Bobby O’Connor landing crucial scores. He was well assisted up front by Jacob Hilliard, Billy Lawless and Ryan Guilfoyle.

SCORERS:

Mountrath CS: LJ Cuddy 2-7, Bobby O’Connor 0-5, Aaron Bredin 0-4, Luke Delaney 1-0, Billy Lawless 0-2, Jacob Hilliard, Jack O’Connor and Ryan Guilfoyle 0-1 each.

MOUNTRATH CS: Fionnan Gilligan (Ballyfin); Jacob Hilliard (Camross), Paudie Fahy (Borris/Kilcotton), Lorcan Holohan (Abbeyleix); Aaron Bredin (Camross), Tadhg Lowry (Camross), Leo Guilfoyle (Camross); Conor Sweeney (Ballyfin), Darragh Mortimer (Camross); Luke Delaney (Castletown), Bobby O’Connor (Trumera), LJ Cuddy (Camross); Jack Rice (Mountrath), Billy Lawless (Mountrath), Ryan Guilfoyle (Camross).

Subs: John Fitzpatrick (Ballyfin), Jack O’Connor (Trumera), Ben Heffernan (Ballyfin).