Rathdowney-Errill off to a flyer as they ease to victory over Camross

Camross’ defence of their 2023 Laois Senior Hurling Championship crown has begun with a loss at the hands of a very impressive Rathdowney-Errill side in the LOETB Centre of Excellence this evening.

The game was played in horrific conditions as the rain flowed from the sky for a lot of the first half and for all of the second half, making things very tough for the players.

Rathdowney-Errill 4-21

Camross 3-14

It did little to stop Paddy Purcell however, who was outstanding for Rathdowney-Errill and racked up 2-3 from play in a top quality performance from centre-forward.Rathdowney-Errill flew into an early seven point lead thanks to Ross King as they kept Camross scoreless for the opening 18 minutes, holding them to just one shot in that period to boot.

Camross eventually battled their way back into things after Purcell’s first goal late on in the half and Mark Dowling replied with a goal of his own, but Camross still trailed by six at the break. Dowling and Purcell traded goals to open the second half as they each hit the net within the opening minute, with Purcell’s being a punch to the Camross gut after Dowling’s goal put just three between the teams.

After the frantic opening to the half things settled for a period and the teams traded points, with Rathdowney-Errill having the edge before they found the net twice midway through the half to put the game beyond reach realistically for Camross.
Eoin Bourke and Eric Killeen were on target for Rathdowney-Errill and they followed up their goals with a point each to put 16 between the teams with 15 minutes left to play.

As the rain worsened the teams continued to trade points and Zane Keenan scored a consolation goal late on for Camross when Mark Dowling was hauled down for a penalty as he advanced on goal, but it was too little too late and referee Brochan O’Reilly signaled the end a minute later.