Rathdowney/Errill complete championship/league double at the expense of Clan na nGael
Killian Danagher (Rathdowney/Errill) competes with Denis Browne and Leon Walsh (Clan na nGael) for this sliotar Photo: Denis Byrne
A thrilling yearlong battle between Rathdowney/Errill and Clan na nGael came to a close last Wednesday evening as they met in the Laois MHC 'B' final in the LOETB Centre of Excellence, and it was Rathdowney/Errill who prevailed.
The victory made it a double for Rathdowney/Errill as they picked up the Division 2 League title earlier this year, also defeating Clan na nGael in the final of that competition.
Clan na nGael (comprised of Clonad, Trumera and Colt-Shanahoe) came out on top the last time these sides met however as they claimed a 2-18 to 3-4 victory earlier in this year's championship, so this contest was a tough one to call.
It was a highly entertaining game under the lights between two talented and tough teams that left nothing on the pitch, but ultimately Rathdowney/Errill led by Daniel Bowe, Harry Campion and James Doherty just had the edge in the finish.
Though it was a cold evening in Portlaoise there wasn't a breath of wind and the conditions in that sense were ideal, but the greasy surface made life difficult for the players at times which led to a particularly low scoring first half.
James Doherty was on target from two placed balls and Harry Campion struck from play, while Denis Browne slotted Clan na nGael’s only score in the opening quarter as Rathdowney/Errill led by two after 15 minutes.
Clan na nGael found their rhythm as the half progressed however, beginning with a score from Harry Browne after a great run by Matthew Kirk, soon followed by an excellent brace of frees from Aaron Tynan.
Sean McDermott was called into action on a couple of occasions for Rathdowney/Errill and made some good saves, though he couldn't do anything to deny points from Leon Walsh and Bobby O'Connor as Clan na nGael continued to dominate late in the half.
A late point from Doherty would ensure that just two points separated them at half time however with Rathdowney/Errill trailing 0-6 to 0-4.
Clan na nGael soaked up some early pressure from Rathdowney/Errill after the restart and hit them with a quick counter, culminating in a good score by Tynan, but the floodgates would soon open.
Andrew Barton did very well to win a high ball and find Doherty who turned and buried it in the net from close range, and Daniel Bowe soon followed with a free from well inside his own half.
Bowe was again involved moments later when his long ball down the park found Ryan Keeshan who did excellently to find space and find the net for their second goal, which Campion added to with a point seconds later after great pressuring high up on the puckout.
In just four minutes Clan na nGael went from a three point lead to trailing by five, but to their credit they were back to within a point within eight minutes in a daring response to their opponents.
Denis Browne added to his earlier point with a fantastic effort and Tynan slotted a free before great teamwork and hassling created a chance for Paddy Farrell to take off on a run and split the posts before Bobby O'Connor put one between the teams midway through the half after great work by Jack O'Connor.
Just as Clan na nGael were gaining momentum, the pendulum swung back towards the league champions with a free from Doherty as Campion was denied a goal, but Campion got in on the act a moment later with a brilliant point.
A further brace from Doherty put five between the teams with five minutes left to play and Clan na nGael now felt all the pressure as they went chasing scores.
They would find a couple through Tynan frees, but they were matched by Doherty and Rathdowney/Errill held on to send their supporters into raptures at full time.
James Doherty 1-8 (0-6fs, 0-1 65), Ryan Keeshan 1-0, Harry Campion 0-3, Daniel Bowe 0-1 (f).
Clan na nGael: Aaron Tynan 0-6 (0-5fs), Denis Browne and Bobby O'Connor 0-2 each, Paddy Farrell, Leon Walsh and Harry Browne 0-1 each.
Sean McDermott; Ashton Jordan, Sean Ryan, Patrick Ryan; Patrick Kelly, Daniel Bowe, Cillian Stenson; Devin O'Connell, Thomas Smeaton; Killian Danagher, Harry Campion, Craig Doran; James Doherty, Andrew Barton, Ryan Keeshan.
Daniel Keeshan for Danagher (ht).
Matthew O'Sullivan; James Doyle, Andrew Whelan, Cullen Kirwan; Matthew Kirk, Jack Mulhall, Billy Brennan; Denis Browne, Paddy Farrell; Leon Walsh, Aaron Tynan, Bobby O'Connor; Jack O'Connor, Daragh Lalor, Harry Browne.
Leon Davis for Browne (40m), Jack Hennessy for Lalor (60m).
Colin Bailey (Mountrath)
