Hassett shines as Rathdowney-Errill march into last four of Laois PIHC with victory over Colt-Shanahoe

The semi-final line-up is now complete for this year’s Laois Shopping Centre Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship following Friday evening’s quarter-final clash between Rathdowney-Errill and Colt-Shanahoe at O’Keefe Park.

It was Rathdowney-Errill who prevailed on the night, producing a strong all-round display to join group winners Mountmellick and Ballyfin in the last four. They now go forward alongside Camross, who had secured their spot 24 hours earlier with a dramatic victory over Clonaslee St Manman’s at the LOETB Centre of Excellence.

Rathdowney-Errill wasted no time in settling into the contest, Micheal Cleary clipping the opening point from distance inside 30 seconds. From the very next puck-out, Colt-Shanahoe responded instantly, James Keyes opening their account before Colm Kavanagh edged them into the lead moments later. Rathdowney-Errill quickly regained control, however, firing three unanswered points through Aaron Costigan, Cleary and Jacques Dowling.

Dowling almost struck for the game’s opening goal when he broke through on the edge of the square, only for goalkeeper Paul Kerwan to stand tall and beat away his close-range drive. At the other end, Paddy Hassett got Rathdowney-Errill moving again from the placed ball, landing his first free of the evening. Nathan Dunne replied in kind for Colt-Shanahoe, before Hassett doubled his tally with another effort from distance. Dylan Cuddy and Keyes then landed fine points, cutting the margin to a single score and bringing their supporters to life.

The pattern continued with Hassett and Dunne swapping frees before Rathdowney-Errill produced the game’s first major breakthrough. Cleary picked off a point after a ruck broke kindly, before Joe Fitzpatrick sent a long, raking ball into Dowling. The full-forward gathered well and laid off to Hassett, who made no mistake as he drilled low past Kerwan to raise the first green flag. Dunne responded with another free for Colt-Shanahoe, but Rathdowney-Errill were now finding their rhythm from play. Dowling clipped over two superb points, while Jimmy Corrigan also chipped in to keep the scoreboard moving.

Keyes and Cian Moffitt added scores to reduce the gap to five, but Rathdowney-Errill finished the half with a flourish. Hassett converted again from a placed ball before Dowling and Cleary added points to stretch their advantage to 1-14 to 0-9 at the interval, an eight-point cushion that reflected their sharper finishing.

Colt-Shanahoe knew they needed a quick start to the second half and Dunne obliged with a free almost immediately after the restart. Rathdowney-Errill, though, continued to keep their noses comfortably in front. Hassett struck two more frees, while Keyes and Dunne (another free) battled hard to keep their side in touch. With 40 minutes played, Rathdowney-Errill still held a seven-point lead and looked in control.

Keyes grabbed his fifth of the evening to narrow the gap to six, but Rathdowney-Errill hit back in style with four scores in a row. Hassett struck twice more before suffering an arm injury, forcing him off free-taking duties. Aaron Costigan stepped up to assume responsibility and duly landed two placed balls of his own to restore momentum.

Colt-Shanahoe briefly threatened a revival when Paudie McDonald found the net, giving them a glimmer of hope. Kavanagh and Dunne, this time from a 65, followed up with further scores to reduce the deficit to just five points with seven minutes to play. Their supporters sensed a late charge, but Rathdowney-Errill closed the door firmly.

Despite nursing his arm injury, Hassett showed bravery and sharpness when a ball broke loose in front of goal. Striking first-time across the ground, he buried it to the net to effectively seal the outcome. As the game ticked into injury time, Dowling and Ben Galvin added points to push the gap back out to ten.

The victory sets up a semi-final showdown with Mountmellick in two weeks’ time, while Colt-Shanahoe bow out after a spirited but ultimately second-best performance.

FINAL SCORE

Rathdowney-Errill 2-22

Colt-Shanahoe 1-15

SCORERS-- Rathdowney-Errill: Paddy Hassett 2-8 (0-6 frees), Jacques Dowling 0-5, Micheal Cleary 0-4, Aaron Costigan 0-3 (0-2 frees), Jimmy Corrigan and Ben Galvin 0-1 each. Colt-Shanahoe: Nathan Dunne 0-6 (0-5 frees, 0-1 65'), James Keyes 0-5, Paudie McDonald 1-0, Colm Kavanagh 0-2, Dylan Cuddy and Cian Moffitt 0-1 each

RATHDOWNEY-ERRILL: Ben Campion; Killian Carroll, Daniel Bowe, Brian Campion; Oisín Moore, Joe Fitzpatrick, Marc Treacy; James Keegan, Jimmy Corrigan; Micheal Cleary, Shane Dollard, Ben Galvin; Jacques Dowling, Paddy Hassett, Aaron Costigan. Subs: Vinny Cleere for Dollard (52 mins), Peter Meagher for Hassett (56 mins)

COLT-SHANAHOE: Paul Kerwan; Dayle Bergin, Brian Guilfoyle, Tim Drennan; Cian Moffit, Robert Delaney, Dylan Cuddy; Niall Brennan, James Keyes; Paudie McDonald, Colm Kavanagh, Nathan Dunne; Josh Hickey, Enda Mulhall, Robbie Moffitt. Subs: Franky McEvoy for R Moffitt and Ben McDonald for Drennan (Both 21 mins), David Madden for Brennan and Dan Butler for Mulhall (both HT), Owen Joyce for Hickey (56 mins)

Referee: Patrick Phelan (Castletown)