Newcomers Tinnahinch got off to a dream start in their first Laois hurling final at Portlaoise, scoring three points in the opening five minutes - unfortunately it was to be their best period of play.
Castletown, seeking their third successive title, drew level with a well-taken Brian Ferns goal in the sixth minute and took the lead a minute later. Mark Rooney struck back with a goal in the 20th minute, but Tinnahinch were only level, 1-6 apiece, at the interval after playing with the strong wind.
Tinnahinch responded to a flurry of points after the break with two excellent James Young points. Castletown then hit a succession of points and substitute James Hooban wrapped it up with a goal and two points.
CASTLETOWN: J Lyons; M Phelan, R Delaney, T Phelan; D Keenan (0-1), Paul Cuddy, J O'Sullivan; J Palmer, C Cuddy; B Ferns (1-2), D Cuddy (0-4), M Butler; Paudge Cuddy (0-1), F O'Sullivan capt (0-1), P Phelan (0-7). Subs: S Lyons (0-1) for J Palmer; J Hooban (1-2) for D Keenan; P Mullaney for Butler.
TINNAHINCH: S Corcoran; E McEvoy, S Dooley, E Fitzgerald; P Bennett, R McEvoy, R Conroy; J Young (0-6), D Conroy (0-1); B McEvoy (0-1), M Rooney (1-0), J Conroy; W McEvoy, Darren Rooney, J Dooley. Subs: C Bates for R Conroy; J Bates for J Conroy; Declan Rooney for J Dooley; S Flynn for W McEvoy.
Ref: A Stapleton (Rathdowney)
