PREVIEW: Super Sunday of Laois GAA SHC quarter-final action

The Laois Shopping Centre Senior Hurling Championship reaches the knockout stages this weekend, with a mouth-watering double header of quarter-finals scheduled for Sunday, September 22, in O’Moore Park.

2023 champions Camross face Borris-Kilcotton in the opening clash before Rosenallis and Ballinakill go head-to-head later in the afternoon, with semi-final places on the line.

Camross v Borris-Kilcotton at 2pm

Camross, winners of the 2023 championship, come into this tie after finishing second in Group B. Their campaign started slowly with a draw against Portlaoise and a defeat to Rosenallis, but they bounced back impressively to beat Clough-Ballacolla, Ballinakill, and Abbeyleix St Lazarian’s. That run left them with seven points, just one behind group winners Rathdowney-Errill, who await the victors of this tie in the semi-finals.

Borris-Kilcotton, last year’s Premier Intermediate champions, have picked up three wins from five, overcoming Ballinakill, Portlaoise, and Abbeyleix St Lazarian’s. Defeats to Clough-Ballacolla and Rosenallis, however, meant they finished third in the group, setting up a huge challenge against the side who have lifted the Bob O'Keefe Cup 27 times.

Rosenallis v Ballinakill at 3.45pm

The second quarter-final sees Rosenallis, guided by the experienced John O’Loughlin, take on Ballinakill. Rosenallis have impressed throughout the group stages, producing notable wins over Camross, Castletown, and Borris-Kilcotton. Narrow losses to Rathdowney-Errill and The Harps kept them from topping Group A, but they still arrive in the last eight as one of the championship’s most in-form teams.

Ballinakill, last year’s beaten Premier Intermediate finalists, squeezed through to the quarter-finals after a dramatic one-point win over Castletown in their final group game. That victory ensured they leapfrogged Abbeyleix St Lazarian’s and Portlaoise to claim third spot. Along the way, they also beat The Harps, while suffering defeats to Rathdowney-Errill, Camross, and Borris-Kilcotton.

Sunday’s winners will complete the semi-final lineup: Camross or Borris-Kilcotton will face Rathdowney-Errill, while Rosenallis or Ballinakill will meet reigning champions Clough-Ballacolla. 

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