Mullaney and Phelan inspire Castletown to place in Junior ‘B’ football final
Ryan Mullaney (Castletown) in possession with Conor Ging (Portlaoise) moving in to challenge during their JFC 'B' semi-final on Wednesday Photo: Denis Byrne
CASTLETOWN booked their place in the Laois Shopping Centre Junior ‘B’ Football Championship final after pulling away from Portlaoise in the closing stages of Wednesday evening’s semi-final at the LOETB Centre of Excellence.
A competitive contest remained in the balance for long periods before Castletown finished strongly, scoring 1-5 during the final 15 minutes to secure an eight-point victory.
It was Laois senior hurler Martin Phelan who opened the scoring for Castletown inside three minutes, but Portlaoise almost responded with a goal moments later. Oran Masterson found space to get a shot away, only for Matthew Peters to produce an important save and tip the effort onto the crossbar.
Portlaoise did get on the scoresheet soon afterwards, with Cian Fitzpatrick bringing the sides level.
The exchanges remained tight throughout the opening half, with the next six scores shared between the teams. Phelan added two more points for Castletown, while Ryan Mullaney, another member of the Laois senior hurling panel, also got on the scoresheet.
Jamie Gorman scored twice for Portlaoise, with Fitzpatrick adding his second, while Castletown came close to finding the net when Mullaney’s effort somehow stayed out despite beating the goalkeeper.
Castletown then edged ahead when Kyron Cuddy played a free short to Tom Og Phelan, received the return pass and sent the ball between the posts.
Martin Phelan followed that up by converting from the resulting kick-out and soon had a chance to add a goal, but Conor Dunne was equal to his effort in the Portlaoise goal.
Portlaoise were handed a chance to reduce the deficit when Castletown breached the three-up rule, with Gorman making no mistake from the resulting free.
The lead increased again before the interval. Cuddy won possession in the Portlaoise defence and picked out Mullaney, who finished emphatically into the roof of the net.
Cuddy then added a point, while Portlaoise responded with a two-point free from Shane Smyth and a score from Ryan Tully. Castletown went into the break leading 1-7 to 0-8.
Mullaney got the second half underway in style for Castletown, kicking the first two points to restore a four-point advantage. Gorman answered for Portlaoise, but Daniel Whelan quickly replied for the eventual winners.
Portlaoise then enjoyed their best spell of the evening and levelled matters by scoring four consecutive points. Gorman and Smyth both converted frees, while Jack Reddin added two from play.
Martin Phelan and Smyth exchanged scores before Castletown finally managed to break clear. Aaron Gaughan kicked his second point before Mullaney took centre stage, converting three frees in succession to move Castletown four points clear approaching the hour mark.
Cuddy added Castletown’s final point before Jack Breen put the seal on the win with the last kick of the game, finding the net to send his side into the final.
Castletown will face Portarlington in the decider after they defeated Graiguecullen in the other semi-final on Pitch 1.
Castletown: Ryan Mullaney 1-6 (0-3fs), Martin Phelan 0-5, Jack Breen 1-0, Aaron Gaughan and Kyron Cuddy 0-2 each, Dan Whelan 0-1.
Portlaoise: Shane Smyth (1 tpf, 0-2fs) and Jamie Gorman (0-1f) 0-4 each, Cian Fitzpatrick 0-3 (0-1f), Jack Reddin 0-2, Ryan Tully 0-1.
Matthew Peters; Callum Peters, John Gaughan, Evan Cuddy; Jack Breen, Tadhg Cuddy, Daniel Whelan; Tom Og Phelan, Shane Phelan; Martin Phelan, Ryan Mullaney, Conor Phelan; Kyron Cuddy, Joseph Phelan, Aaron Gaughan.
Subs: James Mullaney for Peters (39m), Jamie Conroy for J Mullaney (48m).
Conor Dunne; Robby Brophy, David Whelan, Ryan Scully; Danny Rooney, Conor Ging, Aindle MacGearailt; Rory Tully, Shane Smyth; Paddy Reddin, Oran Masterson, Josh Finn; Aidan Fitzpatrick, Cian Fitzpatrick, Jamie Gorman.
Subs: Jack Reddin for C Fitzpatrick (24m, inj), Conor Stack for Finn (39m), Eoin Carey for MacGearailt (39m), Dara Ramsbottom for Rooney (51m), Eoin Feeney for Masterson (54m, inj).
Padraig Whelan (Barrowhouse)
