2004

Junior "B" Football Final @ Timahoe

Spink 1-8 Castletown 1-7

From Leinster Express

Lawlor turns it for Spink

Spink who were defeated in last years JFC B final bounced back by claiming the 2004 title against Castletown before a sizeable crowd at Timahoe on Friday. 

Spink certainly gave their supporters some heart stopping moments and a point from Thomas Doone two minutes from time edged his side a point in front for the very first time. Castletown pressed hard in the closing minutes to find an equaliser but they could not find one and in the end Spink held out for a one point victory amid joyous scenes from players, officials and supporters alike. 

Despite the title going to Spink it was Castletown who made most of the play in the opening half going two points in front early on with scores from Tadhg Dooley and Ger Reddin. Castletown were winning most of the possession at this stage and had a Tadhg Dooley shot for goal hit off the left post but Spink staged a mini comeback and points from Paul Brennan and Joe Miller left the side?s level midway through the half. 

But Castletown were to inflict a killer blow when Mark Delaney shot for a goal and Delaney, Paul Cuddy and James Hooban all slotted over points to give them a 1-5 to 0-2 lead as the half-time break approached. 

Sean Miller playing at right-halfback for Spink sent over his sides' third point before Paul Cuddy restored the gap to 6 points to leave the half-time score at 1-6 to 0-3. 

Frank Fleming and Liam Lawlor were both introduced for Spink and this seemed to inspire them as they held Castletown to just one point during the second half, something which the Castletown men did to Timahoe in their semi-final. 

A quick free from Liam Lawlor found Tom Doone who shot to the net and points in quick succession from Liam Lawlor and Frank Fleming left Spink one point in arrears by the 14th minute.

Castletown introduced Philip Condell for Declan Keenan and this seemed to inspire them momentarily as Mark Delaney shot over Castletown's only score of the second half seconds later. 

Thomas Doone added two points for Spink within five minutes to leave the sides level with over seven minutes left in the game. Spink pressed for scores but their efforts were stopped and in one particular movement Ian Candell cleared the ball in the Castletown defence only to see it go up the f I e l d and a Tadhg Dooley shot drop into the hands of Spink goalkeeper Brendan Cahill. 

It was still all to play for with four minutes remaining and as Castletown introduced Michael Butler to the game, Spink seemed to pick up the momentum once again and Thomas Doone shot over his third point in a row to edge the green and red side in front by a point for the first time in the game. 

Spink held their nerve in the closing minutes despite some intense pressure by Castletown who were eager to get the equal-ising score. But it wasn't to be for Castletown and the Junior B title will have its home in Spink for the coming year. 

After the game Laois County Board Chairman Cllr. Dick Miller presented the Chris Lawlor cup to Spink Captain Adrian Freeman. Best for Spink on the night were Brendan Keogh and the Miller brothers of Sean, Seamus and Joseph in defence, James Gorman and Robert Miller were solid at midfield particularly in the second half while Paul Brennan and Thomas Doone were the main threat upfront with both Frank Fleming and Liam Lawlor making an impact when introduced. 

Castletown will wonder how the game slipped from their grasp in the second half but they cannot find fault with their impressive defence and in particular Brian Ferns, Cyril and David Cuddy and Robert Delaney. Mark Delaney was a major threat also and scored 1-2 from his midfield berth while Paul Cuddy, James Hooban and Ger Reddin were the main players upfront. 

Spink: Brendan Cahill, James Keegan, Brendan Keogh, Martin Peppard, Sean Miller (0-1), Seamus Miller, Joe Miller (0-1), James Gorman, Robert Miller, Eamon Brophy, Paul Brennan (0-1), Adrian Freeman, Thomas Doone (1-3, 0-2 f), James Doone, Tom O' Connor. Subs: Frank Fleming (0-1) for Eamon Brophy (HT), Liam Lawlor (0-1) for Tom O?Connor (38mins), Pat Fitzpatrick for Andrew Freeman (54mins). 

Castletown: Jim Jim Moore, Patrick Mullaney, Brian Ferns, Fionán Cuddy, Cyril Cuddy, David Cuddy, Robert Delaney, Ian Condell, Mark Delaney (1-2), Tadhg Dooley (0-1f), Paul Cuddy (0-2), Declan Keenan, James Hooban (0-1), Padraig Cuddy, Ger Reddin (0-1). Subs: Philip Candell for Declan Keenan (45mins), Michael Butler for Tadhg Dooley (56mins). 

SHC Final 3/10/04 @ O' Moore Park

Portlaoise 2-8 Castletown 0-7

From Irish Independent

Portlaoise break Castletown's monopoly

CASTLETOWN'S dreams of six senior titles in-a-row were shattered by a determined Portlaoise at a rain-soddened O'Moore Park, Portlaoise yesterday. Castletown who had not been beaten in the championship since 1997 except by Portlaoise in the 1998 quarter-final opened with a strong breeze behind them and had two points in as many minutes.

Pat Phelan opened their account before James Hooban fired over a second. Then Portlaoise's double goalscoring hero Noel 'Cossie' Costelloe opened the Portlaoise account with a point from a free after five minutes of play.

It was a very even contest for the remaining 25 minutes of the opening half but then Costelloe got inside the Castletown defence and when his way to goal was blocked he elected to kick the ball to the Castletown net.

At the interval the champions looked in trouble as 'The Town' led by two points, 1-5 to 0-6.

Pat Phelan pointed for Castletown five minutes into the second half but incredibly they would not score again as they were completely shutdown by the well-drilled Portlaoise defence, who are managed by Tullamore's Damien Fox. Portlaoise goalkeeper John Hanniffy was particularly impressive for the winners and twice made terrific saves, one in each half, to deny Pat Phelan from close range.

In front of Hanniffy, Cyril Duggan, full-back on the Railway Cup winning Leinster hurling side of 1993 alongside the likes of Martin Hanamy (Offaly), Liam Simpson (Kilkenny), Liam Dunne (Wexford), Pat O'Neill (Kilkenny)and Willie O'Connor (Kilkenny), marshalled the Portlaoise backline with authority and saw off a succession of target-men full-forwards.

Crucially Costelloe struck for his and Portlaoise's second goal ten minutes into the second half and from there to the finish the challengers took complete control.

The champion's day of woe was complete when substitute Joe Delaney received a straight red card for a wild pull on Portlaoise midfielder lion-hearted Niall Rigney.

SCORERS - Portlaoise: N Costelloe 2-3, B McCormick 0-2, N Rigney, E Fennelly, T Fitzgerald 0-1 each. Castletown: P Phelan 0-5, J Hooban, D Cuddy 0-1 each.

PORTLAOISE - J Hanniffy; B Mulligan, C Duggan, C Healy; T Mulligan, D Costelloe, C Clear; J Phelan, N Rigney; O Browne, E Fennelly, B McCormick; T Fitzgerald, B Fitzgerald, N Costelloe.

CASTLETOWN - J Lyons; M Phelan, R Delaney, T Phelan; D Keenan, Paul Cuddy, C Cuddy; J Palmer, J O'Sullivan; F O'Sullivan, D Cuddy, J Kingston; P Phelan, Patrick Cuddy, J Hooban. Subs: B Ferns for P Phelan, J Delaney for Palmer, T Dooley for F O'Sullivan, S Lyons for J Kingston, P Mullaney for Pat Cuddy.

REF - A Stapleton (Rathdowney).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

For Year History from 2004 please click here.

2003                                                                                                        2005

INDEX