Camross come from seven points down to defeat Clonaslee St Manman's and reach Laois PIHC semi-finals

Camross are through to the semi-finals of the Laois Shopping Centre Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship after they came from seven points down in the second half to defeat Clonaslee St Manman's St Manman’s in Thursday evening’s quarter-final at the LOETB Centre of Excellence in Portlaoise.

The introduction of David Mortimer proved crucial for Camross, as he came on and took over the free-taking duties from Niall Bennett. He finished with six points to his name as Camross won by two points in the end.

Camross came into the game having finished second in Group A behind Mountmellick, while Clonaslee St Manman's St Manman’s finished third in Group B. They, Ballyfin and Rathdowney-Errill all ended level on four points, with points difference used to separate them.

It took five minutes for the first score to arrive, Lorcan Burke pointing after James Young denied Niall Bennett with a fine save. Niall Corbet was fouled for Tom Smith to open his account from a free, while Corbet got Clonaslee St Manman’s second score after being set up by Paddy Hyland.

Oisin Bennett levelled soon after, before Smith (free) and a flowing Clonaslee St Manman's move finished by Liam Senior, pushed them two clear. Ciaran Keenan’s point in the 20th minute turned out to be their final score of the half, as Clonaslee St Manman's finished strongly with three in a row. Senior set up Shay Foynes before Smith struck twice more from placed balls to leave Clonaslee St Manman's 0-7 to 0-3 ahead at the break.

Hyland and Gerald Reilly stretched the lead early in the second half. Mortimer got Camross going, only for Hyland to reply instantly. Mortimer added a second free, but points from Tom Smith and a long-range James Young effort put Clonaslee St Manman's seven clear.

From there, Camross took control and fired 1-7 without reply to seize the lead for the first time since Burke’s early point. Mortimer landed four frees, while Conor Mortimer, Aaron Carroll and Craig Carroll all split the posts. Darrell Dooley was credited with the goal as his effort dropped into the square and ended up in the Clonaslee St Manman's net.

Clonaslee St Manman's had one last chance to salvage a draw when Young came forward to take a free, but his shot was deflected over the bar. Camross will now face Ballyfin in the semi-finals in two weeks’ time.

FINAL SCORE

Camross 1-12

Clonaslee St Manman's 0-13

SCORERS-- Camross: David Mortimer 0-6 (0-5 frees), Darrell Dooley 1-0, Aaron Carroll, Craig Carroll, Oisin Bennett, Lorcan Burke, Ciaran Keenan and Conor Mortimer 0-1 each. Clonaslee St Manman's: Tom Smith 0-5 (all frees), James Young (all frees) and Paddy Hyland 0-2 each, Niall Corbet, Liam Senior, Shay Foynes, Gerald Reilly 0-1 each.

CAMROSS: Thomas Dunphy; Michael Phelan, Daniel Breen, Aaron Carroll; Lorcan Burke, Matthew Collier, Jack Phelan; Conor Mortimer, Craig Carroll; Niall Bennett, Robert Delaney, Kevin Byrne; Ciaran Keenan, Rick Bannon, Oisin Bennett. Subs: David Mortimer for Keenan (30 mins, inj), Emmet Bergin for Bannon (HT), Scott Coyle for Delaney (42 mins), Darrell Dooley for Bergin (48 mins).

CLONASLEE ST MANMAN'S: James Young; Manus Dunne, Senan Barrett, Diarmuid Conroy; Rory Conroy, Liam Senior, Jack Owens; Robert Downey, Cathal Lee; Gerald Reilly, Niall Corbet, Shay Foynes; Cian Conroy, Patrick Hyland, Tom Smith. Subs: Dj Callaghan for Foynes (54 mins), Willie Young for Smith (58 mins), Fionn Owens for Dunne (64 mins). 

Referee: Mick Cleere (Rathdowney-Errill)

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