Clough-Ballacolla 1-25 Borris-Kilcotton 2-21
Clough-Ballacolla made history in O’Moore Park as they lifted the Laois SHC trophy for the second time in under three months thanks to a thrilling victory over Borris-Kilcotton.
Clough-Ballacolla only claimed the 2020 title back in August in the delayed final and they went back-to-back here after coming from seven points down at half time.
Stephen ‘Picky’ Maher shot 14 points in a hugely impressive display, including the winner from a free in the second minute of injury time.
Willie Dunphy was also in top form for the winners with five quality points from play while Lee Cleere and Aidan Corby put in massive displays too.
When the two sides had met in the 2020 final, Clough-Ballacolla were comfortable winners. But on this occasion Borris-Kilcotton brought a ferocious intensity from the start and with PJ Scully, Aaron Dunphy and Joe Campion to the fore they led 0-9 to 0-2 at the first water break.
Ballacolla fought back well in the second quarter and had the deficit back to two late in the half. But a Daire Quinlan goal and points from Colm Stapleton and Scully had them 1-14 to 0-10 up at the break.
But Ballacolla had it back level within eight minutes of the restart, a goal from Stephen Bergin the catalyst for their revival.
Yet Borris-Kilcotton had another kick in them and Stephen Dunphy’s goal had them 2-17 to 1-17 ahead at the final water break.
Ballacolla got six of the next seven points to go two up and while Borris-Kilcotton twice got back to level late on, Maher’s late free sealed the win.
For Clough-Ballacolla it’s a fifth title since 2009 and a Leinster club clash with Wexford champions Raparees awaits.
Borris-Kilcotton, who played their part in a classic, can only reflect on a third final loss in a row.
Clough-Ballacolla: Cathal Dunne; D Conway, D Maher, B Corby; T Delaney, M McEvoy, L Cleere (0-2); W Hyland (0-1), A Corby (0-2); R Phelan, J Walshe, J Dwyer; S Bergin (1-1), W Dunphy (0-5), S Maher (0-14, 9f, 2 '65s).
Subs: R Broderick for McEvoy (41), Cillian Dunne for Dwyer (50).
Borris-Kilcotton: E Fleming; S Finan, E Parlon, P Tynan; S Phelan, M Whelan, P Whelan; C Stapleton (0-1), J Campion (0-2); A Dunphy (0-3), PJ Scully (0-12, 9f, 1 '65, 1 sc), D Quinlan (1-1); S Dunphy (1-1), N Foyle (0-1), N Quinlan.
Subs: N Coss for Stapleton (32, inj, reversed 35), E Jones for D Quinlan (50), N Coss for Stapleton (58), D Carey for S Dunphy (60).
Referee: J Lalor (Shanahoe).
