Embedded Files
Cumann na mBunscol Final 5/6/12
Castletown 5-6 Raheen 3-10
ACHL Division 3 Final 15/7/12
Portlaoise 1-12 Castletown Slieve Bloom 0-10
From Leinster Express
Flawless Delaney points 'Town' to title
A year and six days after meeting in last year’s decider, Portlaoise turned the tables on Castletown/Slieve Bloom by beating them by almost exactly the same score-line in Sunday afternoon’s Division 3 final.
Only three of the losing Portlaoise side from last year’s final made the cut this time around, compared to ten from Castletown/Slieve Bloom, but it was two of the new boys who made the difference with Kevin Whelan’s goal and Derek Delaney’s superbly accurate free-taking that ensured the win for a well-drilled Portlaoise outfit.
Not even the dismissal of Tommy Mulligan early in the second half could unhinge Portlaoise’s quest for revenge and despite looking second-best at times during this entertaining clash in Fr Breen Park in Abbeyleix, Portlaoise got the crucial scores at the crucial times and Castletown/Slieve Bloom were forced to relinquish their title.
The amalgamated side started very brightly and opened up a three point lead in the first ten minutes. Points from Podge Cuddy, JP Campion and two frees from Seamus Lyons made for a solid start with Portlaoise’s only response coming from a Derek Delaney free. That was about to change shortly afterwards however, with a fine point from,. Tommy Mulligan preceding the only goal of the game from Kevin Whelan midway through the half.
Whelan and Castletown keeper Ben Cuddy battled for possession after a high ball into the area. Cuddy got to it first but Whelan’s block left the keeper stricken and the Portlaoise forward let fly with a low shot into the empty net from ten yards out.
Seamus Lyon’s restored parity briefly two minutes later with his third free of the game but three cheap frees allowed Portlaoise’s marksman Derek Delaney to find his range and he duly converted all three of those to restore his side’s advantage, and from that point on it was a lead that Portlaoise never let slip. A JP Campion free reduced the deficit to two points with the last score of the half but it was the county town men who went in the happier at the break with a 1-5 to 0-6 lead.
Campion repeated the trick a minute after resumption but two well taken scores from Conor Dunne and Tommy Mulligan restored the three-point lead before an ugly clash ended Mulligan’s involvement. The Portlaoise midfielder battled with Tom Phelan for possession but they continued after the ball had gone. Mulligan claimed that Phelan had struck him with the butt of his stick but all the referee saw was the resulting swipe from Mulligan and he was shown a straight red card, with Phelan escaping with a yellow for his part in the melee.
John Palmer fired over the free from the half-way line and at that stage it seemed that their numerical advantage might see Castletown/Slieve Bloom retaining their title. But as is often the case, the fourteen men upped their game and the they hit four points on the trot to leave one hand on the trophy.
Three of those were from Derek Delaney frees with Gary Bergin adding the other as Castletown/Slieve Bloom lost their way midway through the second half. With just over ten minutes remaining they finally seemed to get the measure of Portlaoise and were handed the best possible chance to get back in contention when Portlaoise keeper Michael Bowe dumped Podge Cuddy to the ground in the square and a penalty was awarded.
Substitute James Tobin had only come on three minutes prior to the incident but he was the man handed the task but the youngster saw his low effort saved by Bowe and the chance was lost.
Another John Palmer score two minutes later reduced the gap to four points but that was to be their last effort that found the target and when the flawless Derek Delaney converted his seventh free of the day the game was up.
It was sweet revenge for the Town men after last year’s disappointment but they were full value for the win this time around and captain Darren Murphy, one of those three survivors from the 2011 final graciously accepted the trophy from Brian Allen to spark joyous scenes from the Portlaoise contingent.
Scorers: Portlaoise – Derek Delaney 0-9 (all frees), Kevin Whelan 1-0, Tommy Mulligan 0-2, Gary Bergin 0-1. Castletown/Slieve Bloom – Seamus Lyons 0-4 (all frees), John Palmer (0-1f) and JP Campion (0-2f) 0-2 each, Podge Cuddy and Barry McElvey 0-1 each.
Portlaoise: Michael Bowe, Dean Lynch, Darren Murphy, Chris Lynch, Eoin Phelan, Rocky Scully, Daire Duggan, Tommy Mulligan, Dermot Lalor, Craig Scully, Conor Dunne, Derek Delaney, Kevin Whelan, Ciaran McEvoy, Gary Bergin. Subs: Robbie McGuinness for C. Scully (38mins).
Castletown Slieve Bloom: Ben Cuddy, Enda Conway, Joe Delaney, Tom Delaney, John Lowry, John Palmer, Tom Phelan, Eoin Dooley, Tadgh Dooley, Richie Kingston, Podge Cuddy, Barry McElvey, Kevin Carroll, JP Campion, Seamus Lyons. Subs: Fionan O’Sullivan for Carroll (40mins), James Tobin for Lyons (44mins), Gearoid Lowry for Phelan (58mins, inj).
Ref: Eddie Fitzpatrick (Ballyfin)
SHC 1st Round 15/8/12 @ O' Moore Park
Portlaoise 1-13 Castletown Slieve Bloom 1-10
From Leinster Express
Portlaoise into last eight after battling win
Portlaoise booked their place in the quarter final with an impressive display against a spirited Castletown-Slieve Bloom side. Portlaoise’s good patches were very impressive but they will be worried about the way they drifted out of the game before half time and early in the second half.
Portlaoise were first out of the blocks with a point from Kevin Whelan after a pass from Derek Delaney. Seconds later they had a second from a Noel Costello free after a foul on Cahir Healy. After six minutes, they were three in front when Eoin Costello scored from the left wing after Tony Byrne had done the hard work. They stretched the lead further when the lively Cian Taylor got out in front of Enda Conroy, skipped past him and offloaded to Tommy Fitzgerald who tapped the ball over.
Each of the shots had been relatively simple because Portlaoise were easily able to create space as Castletown-Slieve Bloom struggled to get to grips with the game. David Cuddy opened his side’s account with a free after ten minutes but Portlaoise added two through Eoin Costello and Taylor.
Paul Cuddy got Castletown-Slieve Bloom’s second after a poor Portlaoise puck out but Portlaoise were five in front once more after Derek Delaney set up Keith Murphy. Portlaoise had been completely dominant but a goal against the run of play put a different complexion on proceedings.
Ben Conroy collected the ball on the left wing before passing to Barry McKelvey. McKelvey had some space as his man, Eoin Browne, had gone to close down Conroy. As McKelvey found Brian Mulligan closing down on him, he was able to pick out Mulligan’s man, James Hooban in space. Hooban used his turn of pace to sprint towards goal with Browne and Mulligan in hot pursuit. Cahir Healy shut down the space but Hooban had the presence of mind to pick out McKelvey who had got himself into a great position unmarked in front of goal and he made no mistake with the finish.
The goal breathed new life into Castletown-Slieve Bloom and what had looked like being a one sided contest roared into life as a competitive affair. Castletown/Slieve Bloom changed their play around to great effect with Paul Cuddy moving to centre forward and Brendan Reddin going to midfield. Reddin won the puck out following the goal and sent it back over to level the game. Kevin Whelan edged Portlaoise back in front but Castletown-Slieve Bloom had the momentum.
McKelvey levelled the game once again as James Hooban started to look more and more dangerous. Mulligan had got the upper hand early in the game but Hooban was on form now. Noel Costello sent two frees wide which reflected his side’s general play at the time. Castletown-Slieve Bloom took the lead for the first time in the 30th minute with a point from Paul Cuddy and seconds later they doubled their advantage with a fine move, involving Ben Conroy, Hooban and Paul Cuddy, calmly finished by David Cuddy.
A free from Costello left Portlaoise behind by a solitary point but given the pattern of play, they must have been worried. The start of the second half did nothing to ease their fears as Conroy shot over two frees, both won by Hooban, to go three in front.
Castletown-Slieve Bloom couldn’t keep up their good form, however, as Portlaoise gradually worked their way back into it. Eoin Costello scored two points to bring his tally to a very useful four despite contributing little otherwise. Cian Taylor’s stick work was too much for Enda Conroy who fouled him, allowing Noel Costello to level the game and Kevin Whelan put them back in front after an assist from Fitzgerald. The move of the game came 47 minutes in as Noel Costello collected the ball underneath the stand. A quick pass to Tommy Fitzgerald was quickly moved along to Cian Taylor who shot powerfully past Ger Cuddy for a fine goal. A Costello 65 a minute later meant Portlaoise had scored 1-5 unanswered and led by five.
Points from Hooban and Fionán Cuddy brought the gap back to three but Castletown-Slieve Bloom didn’t look like getting the necessary control of the game to close that gap. Their first goal had been against the run of play and a second didn’t seem likely. Joe Phelan and Ben Conroy swapped points as full time beckoned. Castletown-Slieve Bloom went in search of goals but some immense defending from Cahir Healy, particularly in the form of high catches, stopped them in their tracks. He was fouled at the beginning of stoppage time and Noel Costello came back to put four points between the sides again.
David Cuddy was hauled down 30 metres from goal but with four points between the sides he opted for a point which would be the last score of the game.
SCORERS - Portlaoise: Noel Costelloe 0-5 (four frees, one 65), Eoin Costello 0-4, Cian Taylor 1-1, Kevin Whelan 0-3, Tommy Fitzgerald, Keith Murphy, Joe Phelan 0-1 each; Castletown-Slieve Bloom: Barry McKelvey 1-1, David Cuddy (two frees), Ben Conroy (two frees, one 65) 0-3 each, Brendan Reddin, Paul Cuddy 0-2 each, Fionán Cuddy, James Hooban 0-1 each
PORTLAOISE: Michael Bowe; Conor Dunne, Eoin Browne, Brian Mulligan; Joe Phelan, Cahir Healy, Darragh Duggan; Keith Murphy, Eoin Costello; Tony Byrne, Tommy Fitzgerald, Kevin Whelan; Cian Taylor, Derek Delaney, Noel Costello. Subs: Brian McCormack for Tony Byrne (46 mins)
CASTLETOWN-SLIEVE BLOOM: Ger Cuddy; Tom Phelan, Gearóid Gaughan, Enda Conroy; John Gaughan, Declan Keenan, Cyril Cuddy; Paul Cuddy, Fionán Cuddy; David Cuddy, Brendan Reddin, Barry McKelvey; Kevin Carroll, Ben Conroy, James Hooban.
SHC 2nd Round Replay 22/8/12 @ O' Moore Park
Castletown Slieve Bloom 4-16 St Lazerian's Abbeyleix 1-8
From Leinster Express
Castletown come good at the second attempt to see off Abbeyleix
Castletown/Slieve-Bloom completed the job the second time of asking as they comprehensively dismissed the efforts of St Lazarians, Abbeyleix, in O’Moore Park on Wednesday evening.
Despite nothing being able to separate the sides on in their first encounter in O’Moore Park as they played out an enthralling game that finished 1-11 to 0-14, Castletown/Slieve-Bloom pulled out all the stops as they chalked up 4-16 to run out comfortable seventeen point victors under lights.
Before half-time Castletown notched up six points in nine minutes, three of which came from Ben Conroy, as they opened an eight point gap with five minutes remaining in the half.
Abbeyleix kept the scoreboard ticking over with a Joe Bergin point, before Ryan Peacock reduced the margin to six points with his third point of the half with three minutes left until the break. There was still enough time for Castletown/Slieve-Bloom to rack up a further 1-3 with James Hooban grabbing the goal, while Ben Conroy brought his tally to seven points for the half as Castletown held a twelve point cushion at the interval.
Abbeyleix started the second half well as they struck two points in as many minutes but James Hooban grabbed his second goal of the game two minutes later as Castletown stretched thirteen points clear and from there they were never going to be hauled back.
JFC "C" Final 28/8/12 @ Shanahoe
Slieve Bloom Castletown 1-10 Camross 2-5
From Leinster Express
SHC Quarter Final 2/9/12 @ O' Moore Park
Castletown Slieve Bloom 0-14 Clough/Ballacolla 1-11
From Leinster Express
Hanlon saves Ballacolla with late leveller
It took a monstrous injury-time free from Clough-Ballacolla goalkeeper Danny Hanlon to save his side from an unlikely exit from this year’s championship at the hands of their long-time yet unfancied rivals Castletown-Slieve Bloom on Saturday night in Portlaoise.
As reigning champions against a side believed by many to be past their best, Clough Ballacolla would have been strong favourites coming into the tie and Picky Maher’s opener got them off to a solid start. However, John O’Sullivan’s side looked out of sorts and the first half saw Ballacolla commit a huge amount of unforced passing and handling errors that galvanised Castletown’s belief.
Clough Ballacolla hit five poor wides in the opening ten minutes and with that sort of inaccuracy Castletown Slieve Bloom started to sense an opportunity. It did take them a full thirteen minutes to get off the mark after an extremely scrappy start from both sides but Patrick Mullaney whipped a fine effort over the bar and the underdogs were up and running.
Three more quickly followed without a reply from as Ballacolla conceded numerous frees that Ben and Kevin Conroy both punished from different areas of the field. Picky Maher nabbed his and his side’s second point of the game with seven minutes of the half remaining but Clough Ballacolla’s reluctance to send early ball into the likes of Maher and Willie Hyland played right in Castletown Slieve Bloom’s hands.
Ben Conroy and Shane Hanlon traded scores before two late Castletown points from Brendan Reddin and David Cuddy saw their side amass a four point advantage at the interval on a 0-7 to 0-3 scoreline.
A return of three first-half points suggested that all was not well with Clough-Ballacolla but when they resumed there was at least a greater urgency about their attacking play. Ben Conroy’s early point stretched the Castletown lead but Willie Dunphy responded at the other end before a magnificent goal-line save from full-back Gearoid Gaughan denied Willie Hyland from the 21 yard line. Hyland did however convert the resulting ’65 and Clough Ballacolla appeared to be finding their form.
Ben Conroy produced a number of excellent scores with his trademark direct runs at goal and he pointed well seven minutes in to restore the four point lead but it would be fifteen minutes before his side managed another score and when they did they would be two points behind as Ballacolla kicked into gear.
Willie Hyland earned and converted a free before Willie Dunphy gathered a long Danny Hanlon clearance and pointed in style. Hyland was starting to impose himself on proceedings and when he was fouled on the edge of the area he stepped up to fire the resulting free into the back of the net and Castletown were behind for the first time since the opening score of the game.
Hyland’s ’65 put two between them with ten minutes to go and few would have fancied a tiring Castletown side to come back at that stage. Ben Conroy and Danny Hanlon traded frees, the first of two huge conversions from Hanlon that would prove to be Ballacolla’s saving grace just a few minutes later. Conroy repeated the trick from a free won by great work from David Cuddy before the score of the game levelled matters with three minutes to go with James Hooban collecting a low Fionan Cuddy ball to launch a superb score between the posts.
Time was running out, and Damien Bergin’s score sent Ballacolla back in front. Ben Conroy equalised in the last minute and then a needless foul in the middle of the park handed Conroy the chance to put Castletown in front. Tom Delaney’s refusal to retreat made it a handier prospect and Conroy made no mistake.
Regulation time was up, Castletown were on the verge of a shock advancement. They retained possession but a careless cross field ball ended up with Ballacolla getting a free of their own. It was a huge ask for Danny Hanlon. He had done it once earlier but this was the last puck of the ball and he knew it. The pressure must have been huge but he confounded that with a massive effort from his own ’45 yard line and with that Brochan O’Reilly called a halt to a wonderfully exciting conclusion.
SCORERS - Castletown-Slieve Bloom: Ben Conroy 0-10 (six frees), Brendan Reddin, Kevin Conroy (free), David Cuddy and Patrick Mullaney 0-1 each; Clough Ballacolla: Willie Hyland 1-3 (1-3 frees), Danny Hanlon (two frees), Stephen Maher and Willie Dunphy 0-2 each, Shane Hanlon and Damien Bergin 0-1 each.
CASTLETOWN-SLIEVE BLOOM: Ger Cuddy; Tom Phelan, Gearoid Gaughan, Enda Conroy; Kevin Conroy, Declan Keenan, Cyril Cuddy; Fionán Cuddy, Paul Cuddy; Brian Ferns, Brendan Reddin, Ben Conroy; James Hooban, David Cuddy, Patrick Mullaney. Subs: Barry McKelvey for C Cuddy (51 mins), John Gaughan for E Conroy (53 mins).
CLOUGH-BALLACOLLA: Danny Hanlon; John A Delaney, Darren Maher, Canice Coonan; Brendan McEvoy, Bill Duggan, Tom Delaney; Damien Bergin, Shane Hanlon; Ken Phelan, Mick McEvoy, Stephen Maher; Willie Dunphy, Willie Hyland, Mick Dunphy.
Referee: Brochan Reilly (Portlaoise)
SHC Quarter Final Replay 5/9/12 @ O' Moore Park
Clough/Ballacolla 0-12 Castletown Slieve Bloom 0-11
From Leinster Express
Hanlon provides the finishing touch once again
Goalkeeper Danny Hanlon is a certainty for the ‘Hero of the Year’ award from Clough-Ballacolla as, for the second time within five days, he came to their rescue and landed another long range pressure free to save his side against plucky Castletown-Slieve Bloom.
On Saturday night last he had landed a massive puck from his own 45 to send the game to a replay, and on Wednesday he was again called on in injury time and from 80m out and almost on the terrace sideline, he again did the business in dramatic fashion. This was a game that had everything and certainly lived up to expectations, and while Hanlon was the hero for his side, Ben Conroy just came up shy of winning the accolade as his shot for parity deeper into injury time just tailed off wide of the post with the pressure on his young shoulders.
It had been a turbulent few days for Clough-Ballacolla since Hanlon secured a draw, as, within minutes of the final whistle, their manager John O’Sullivan had departed in dramatic circumstances and by early Sunday he had been replaced by former Dublin U-21 manager John McEvoy. Those dramatic developments were the talk of the county and brought a huge crowd to O’Moore Park in anticipation for the replay, and those in attendance were not disappointed with another enthralling encounter that had the crowd on their toes right to the finish, and one could not have envisaged such a nail biting and controversial end.
At half time Clough Ballacolla did indeed look as if they would go on for a decisive victory as they led by double scores, 0-8 to 0-4, with Ben Conroy landing three of those from frees, but by the end of the third quarter they were back on level terms as they produced a magnificent fight back that had the champions on the ropes.
Clough Ballacolla weathered that storm and hit back to lead by two again only for Castletown-Slieve Bloom to again come back and level with three minutes remaining, and at this stage they certainly looked like they would go on and cause another shock if they got the breaks in the final minute. The breaks, however, fell to the champions and when John Gaughan was penalised for overcarrying two minutes into injury time as he attacked down the right side, up stepped Hanlon to deliver the killer strike. It was a big call for referee Liam Moran but he did give Castletown-Slieve Bloom the chance from the puck out, that alas they failed to take.
Ben Conroy had opened the scoring but heavy pressure saw Mick Dunphy level and then Picky Maher capitalised on a poor clearance for the lead that they never relinquished again. Ben Conroy caught a puck out and fired it straight over to level after five minutes but Clough-Ballacolla then took control of the game and picked off five of the next six scores for what looked a commanding lead.
Willie Hyland landed a free, Bill Duggan after great work by Shane Hanlon, Picky Maher and two excellent points from play by Willie Hyland to just a lone point by Brian Ferns had the champions 0-7 to 0-3 ahead after 20 minutes. Then Clough Ballacolla had a chance to put their opponents out of sight when, after Mick Dunphy was grounded in the small square, Willie Hylands shot for goal from the penalty was stopped and cleared. Then minutes later at the other end Paddy Mullaney was through for goal, but somehow his shot for glory screamed wide of the posts. Willie Hyland extended his sides lead to five points but deep in injury time Ben Conroy pointed for a 0-8 to 0-4 half time score line.
Ben started his side’s comeback six minutes into the second half when showing his range of talents he pointed from a sideline cut from all of 45m, then set up David Cuddy for the next score and landed two frees on the trot to level by the 14th minute. Castletown then looked as if they were taking the lead when a David Cuddy shot was heading over, but Danny Hanlon got the hurl to it and cleared it to safety before Willie Hyland caught a puck out from him, turned, and popped it over for the lead.
The goalkeeper was the central character in the final quarter as he came out to his own 65 and landed his first point of the night for a two point lead again, and as Picky Maher and Ben Conroy traded points the gap was still two 0-11 to 0-9 with five minutes left in the game. Castletown Slieve Bloom showed all of their fighting spirits as first Brendan Reddin narrowed the gap and then Cyril Cuddy landed a massive battling point to tie the game up with normal time up. Then came those dramatic few minutes of injury time that saw the champions book their place in the semi finals.
SCORERS - Clough Ballacolla: Willie Hyland 0-5 (two frees), Stephen Maher 0-3, Danny Hanlon 0-2 (both fress), Mick Dunphy and Bill Duggan 0-1 each; Castletown-Slieve Bloom: Ben Conroy 0-7 (six frees), Brian Ferns, David Cuddy, Brendan Reddin and Cyril Cuddy 0-1 each.
CLOUGH-BALLACOLLA: Danny Hanlon; John A Delaney, Darren Maher, Pat McEvoy; Brendan McEvoy, Mick McEvoy, Tom Delaney; Shane Hanlon, Canice Coonan; Damien Bergin, Bill Duggan, Stephen Maher; Willie Dunphy, Willie Hyland, Mick Dunphy. Subs: Shane Hyland for Damien Bergin, Aidan Doyle.
CASTLETOWN-SLIEVE BLOOM: Ger Cuddy; Tom Phelan, Gearoid Gaughan, Enda Conroy; John Gaughan, Declan Keenan, Cyril Cuddy; Fionán Cuddy, Paul Cuddy; Paddy Mullaney, Brendan Reddin, David Cuddy; Ben Conroy, James Hooban, Brian Ferns. Subs: Tom Delaney for Enda Conroy, Barry McKelvey for Brian Ferns
Referee: Liam Moran (Colt)
From Laois Nationalist
Dan is the man once again
BEFORE the game the champions unveiled their new manager, John McEvoy and he will be pleased that he will have at least one more outing to get acquainted with his former colleagues.
If Clough/Ballacolla retain the senior title and relieve Castletown of the distinction of being the last side to retain the O’Keefe Cup then they will surely point to the two hour battle with the former champions as the turning point in their season.
After escaping with a late long range point in the drawn game few would have bet on a similar scenario when the sides met at O’Moore Park on Wednesday last.
A big crowd turned out for this mid-week clash and there was nobody leaving before the final whistle.
Indeed for ten minutes afterwards supporters were still discussing the outcome of another enthralling battle between these two.
While the hurling itself may not have been as exciting as the drawn game the intensity was every bit as great and even greater.
At the final whistle players from both sides were sprawled on the ground after two hours of battle that was finally decided by another massive point by goal keeper Danny Hanlon.
The opening half saw defences in total control but Ben Conroy had a golden opportunity to close the gap but his great shot just grazed the post on the outside.
The champions had the best of the opening quarter shooting points from Willie Hyland and Bill Duggan.
Castletown/Slieve Bloom defended well and once again Ben Conroy kept them in touch with points while a great score from Brian Ferns narrowed the gap.
Willie Hyland shot a second point and ten minutes before the break, playing into the Town goal, the champions were awarded a penalty but again the defence was magnificent and saved.
Castletown/Slieve Bloom retired at the break trailing 0-8 to 0-4 after a late exchange of points between Willie Hyland and Ben Conroy.
Ben Conroy opened the second half scoring then John Gaughan replaced Enda Conroy in defence.
David Cuddy narrowed the gap with a good point and after the champions conceded two more close in frees Ben Conroy levelled the game after 44 minutes.
Castletown then missed a golden goal chance when Danny Hanlon made a rare error and two forwards had a great chance but somehow squeezed the ball outside the post.
That let off was the springboard for the champions to hit back.
Willie Hyland regained the lead.
With 12 minutes remaining Danny Hanlon delivered another long distance point to put two between the teams but Ben Conroy replied.
Steven Maher and Ben Reddin traded points.
Cyril Cuddy fired over the equaliser with 57 minutes played.
Castletown/Sl Bloom went for the jugular but when the champions won a free out on the side line Danny Hanlon delivered a missile and the champions led again two minutes into injury time.
From the puck out Castletown/ Slieve Bloom were awarded a free in their own half but this time Ben Conroy pulled his shot slightly to the left of the post to the relief of the champions.
The final whistle brought down the curtain on the best action witnessed in this year’s championship.
The champions face Borris/ Kilcotton on Sunday but Castletown/ Slieve Bloom are gone after a great contest.
JHC Semi Final 29/9/12 @ Shanahoe
Ballypickas 2-11 Castletown Slieve Bloom 1-9
From Leinster Express
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