Lalor and Hiney the heroes as Ballypickas claim Junior Hurling Championship over Borris-Kilcotton

Borris-Kilcotton’s second team clashed with Ballypickas in Laois Hire O’Moore Park on Friday evening to decide the Junior Hurling Championship. It was a glorious September’s day for hurling, and the match certainly didn’t disappoint.

Ballypickas 1-16

Borris-Kilcotton 2-11

Both teams were already guaranteed to go back up to the Intermediate grade for next season but more importantly, silverware was on the line here. That led to an intense and entertaining final, with both sides leaving it all out on the line.

In the end, it was Ballypickas who did just enough to claim the crown in Portlaoise. A second-half goal from goalkeeper Darragh Hiney swung the contest in their direction and they managed to hold off Borris-Kilcotton’s comeback attempt.

Borris-Kilcotton could not have dreamt of a better start to this final. From the throw-in, they launched the sliotar inside and full-forward Sean Fitzpatrick struck home.

Midfielder Conaire Gee did respond immediately for Ballypickas with a fine effort to get them up and running in Laois Hire O’Moore Park. Mick McKeogh added another for Ballypickas moments later from a placed ball.

While Sean Fitzpatrick floated over Borris-Kilcotton’s first point to add to his earlier goal from a free, Ballypickas’ Conaire Gee left two again between the teams.

Both sides were going score for score early on but that did calm down somewhat over the next few minutes. Some poor wides from both meant Borris-Kilcotton remained two in front.

 Sean Fitzpatrick did have a chance to score his second goal, but he could only fire the ball straight at Ballypickas keeper Darragh Hiney. Fitzpatrick did land the next score though, as he popped over a point from play.

Mick McKeogh and Darragh Hiney hit back for Ballypickas by cracking over a free each. Sean Fitzpatrick once again replied for Borris-Kilcotton with a free himself though.

Ballypickas first shot at goal came from MJ Lalor but Borris-Kilcotton’s shot-stopper Mick Grehan was equal on this occasion. Mick McKeogh did knock over another free to leave the minimum between the teams again.

Borris-Kilcotton’s Oisin Fitzpatrick landed arguably the score of the half from a tight angle near the sideline but Ballypickas’ Kieran Bowe responded.

The two outfits continued to exchange scores, as Borrs-Kilcotton’s Sean Fitzpatrick (free) and Ballypickas’ Noel Leech raised white flags for their respective teams.

However, a second Borris-Kilcotton goal before half-time gave them a serious boost heading into the dressing room. It was Sean Fitzpatrick who raised the green flag again after David Scott set up the full-forward to fire home.

Daire McWey and Mick McKeogh helped Ballypickas respond well to that setback though just before the whistle. Borris-Kilcotton held a 2-6 to 0-10 lead after a pulsating half of this Junior Hurling Championship final in Portlaoise.

Borris-Kilcotton began the second half brightly as well. Oisin Fitzpatrick fired over his second point from play before Sean Fitzpatrick added another to his tally to put them four to the good.

That would be Borris-Kilcotton’s last score for nineteen minutes though. This period cost them the game, as Ballypickas raised the tempo a few levels. Mick McKeogh knocked over their first point of the half before Ballypickas scored a goal to level.

It was somewhat fortuitous. A long-range free from goalkeeper Darragh Hiney dropped into the square and no one dealt with it, meaning the sliotar ended up in the back of the Borris-Kilcotton net.

MJ Lalor then put Ballypickas ahead for the first time with twenty minutes left. Both sides began to get very physical with each other after that, as the tension was palpable in Portlaoise.

Ben Freeman floated over his first score for Ballypickas before goalkeeper Darragh Hiney would again turn into the hero. Hiney made two crucial saves to deny Borris-Kilcotton their third goal.

Ballypickas substitute Paddy Boggan put them three clear before Borris-Kilcotton hit back to set up a nervy finish. Sean Fitzpatrick held his nerve to convert three frees in a row to deadlock the teams once more.

However, it was Ballypickas who delivered the final punches to seal the title. MJ Lalor landed a heroic point to help them regain the lead before Darragh Hiney dropped over another long-range free injury-time.