PRT and Castletown set for Junior showdown
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PARK-Ratheniska/Timahoe and Castletown will put their unbeaten championship records on the line on this evening when they meet in the Laois Shopping Centre Junior ‘A’ Hurling Championship final in Laois Hire O’Moore Park (7.30pm).
There has been little wrong with either side’s form on the road to the decider, but PRT arrive with the added incentive of completing a league and championship double.
Anthony Coffey’s side won the Division 4 league earlier in the summer and have carried that momentum into the championship, where their defensive record has been particularly impressive.
They have yet to concede a goal in the competition.
PRT made light work of their group, recording comfortable victories over The Harps, Rathdowney/Errill and Camross. Portlaoise provided the opposition in the semi-final, but PRT passed that test too, eventually coming through by nine points.
Their run has been helped by the emergence of a number of younger players from last year's minor team. Matt Cunningham is enjoying an impressive first season at adult level and was central to the semi-final success, finishing with 11 points.
There was bad news from that semi-final, however, with Paul Byrne picking up an injury that rules him out of the final.
The club knows exactly what it takes to win at this level.
PRT were Junior ‘A’ champions in 2019 and again in 2023, meaning tonight’s game represents an opportunity to claim the title for a third time in seven seasons.
While PRT will be a formidable opponent, Castletown have plenty of reasons to believe they can spoil the party.
Ger Cuddy's team have been every bit as consistent in the championship.
Victories over Portlaoise, Rosenallis and Ballinakill took them through the group stage with a perfect record before they faced Camross in the semi-final.
Played in dreadful conditions, that game presented a very different challenge, but Castletown handled it well and emerged with a six-point victory. Jamie and Dylan Conroy provided the crucial goals to secure their place in the county final.
Castletown have been knocking on the door at Junior ‘A’ level for several seasons without managing to make the jump to the next grade. Tonight gives them a chance to change that.
One factor in Castletown's favour is that they operated a division above PRT in the league this year. They enjoyed a strong campaign there too, going all the way to the Division 3 final before losing to Slieve Bloom.
That should leave them well prepared for the intensity of tonight's contest.
On paper, there is plenty to suggest this could be one of the tighter county finals.
Castletown should push PRT hard, but the amalgamated outfit look to have the balance of youth, experience and form required to edge the contest.
