Connolly to the fore as Mountmellick defeat Abbeyleix to be crowned Intermediate Hurling champions

Mountmellick overcame Abbeyleix at the second time of asking to claim the Laois Intermediate Hurling Championship after their replay final in O'Moore Park on Friday evening.

The two teams faced off three weeks prior in a lacklustre match, but Friday's contest was a thrilling spectacle, featuring five goals and relentless attacking play.

Mountmellick 4-17

Abbeyleix 1-16

Ja Connolly was outstanding in victory for Mountmellick with his 2-4 going a long way to securing the win for his side as his first goal came at a crucial time early in the second half seconds after Abbyleix had drawn level.

Mountmellick established dominance early, racing to a seven-point lead in the first half. Abbeyleix fought back bravely, narrowing the gap to just one point by halftime, with the score at 1-9 to 0-11—one point shy of their entire tally from the previous match.

That Connolly goal early in the second half kept the pressure on, though the margin remained at three points after 40 minutes. Mountmellick then turned up the heat, racking up 2-5 in the last 20 minutes to seal their victory.

Liam Kavanagh opened the scoring with a free from under the stand, but Mountmellick quickly took control, with Jimmy Hilliard getting the game's opening goal after just two minutes when Finn Culleton made a darting run down the right wing and played an inch perfect ball into Hilliard who batted in excellently.

The scoreboard continued to tick for Mountmellick as Hilliard and Gorman added points, and they were almost in for another goal when Culleton again made space down the right and fired inside but Connolly's effort just flew over the bar.

After a series of wides from Abbeyleix they got their first score from play in the 10th minute from a Stephen Thompson effort, but Finn Lyons quickly responded. Gorman and Mick Bermingham added more scores, extending Mountmellick's lead to seven.

Abbeyleix rallied and narrowed the gap to two points by the 22nd minute, with Kavanagh converting three frees and setting up Declan Phelan for another point.

Kevin Fitzpatrick capped off the Abbeyleix run with a well-taken score, but Connolly and Gorman restored order for Mountmellick after a brief scoring drought, pushing the lead back to four. Abbeyleix would go on to seize control of proceedings before the break however with four of the last five scores before half time.

Riain Mahony opened his account with a well taken score before Bermingham hit back with a free, but Mahony would fire again after a great ball inside by Kavanagh.

Mick Parlon and Kavanagh saw out the half with scores for Abbeyleix to make it 1-9 to 0-11.

Abbeyleix levelled the game right after the break with a Kavanagh point, but Connolly responded almost immediately to break Abbeyleix hearts with a goal after a powerful run from Gorman. Bermingham added a pair of frees moments later before a wild two minutes of scoring ensued.

Finn Lyons and Phelan traded points within seconds of each other and Abbeyleix broke in for a goal of their own when Riain Mahony capitalised on a poor clearance and fleeced the net.

Connolly replied with a point and nearly hit back with another goal but was denied by David Sheeran and Bermingham added a point from the 65. Mountmellick held a 2-15 to 1-13 lead by the 45-minute mark thanks to another Bermingham free.

The game was effectively sealed with two rapid goals from Mountmellick around the 50-minute mark. Nigel Murphy scored with his first touch after coming on following a brilliant pass from Culleton, and a minute later, he assisted Connolly for his second goal.

Abbeyleix managed a few consolation scores from Kavanagh, Phelan, and Jack Finlay, but it was Mountmellick’s night as Culleton finished strong with the last two points of the match.