Ballyfin back at Laois hurling's top table after defeating Rathdowney-Errill in PIHC final

Ballyfin produced a composed and clinical performance on Saturday evening in Laois Hire O’Moore Park to secure the Laois Shopping Centre Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship crown and a return to senior ranks next season.

The game began at a brisk pace, and it was Ballyfin who struck the opening blow. Gareth Dunphy opened the scoring from a free before a long delivery from Ronan Carroll was batted down by Ben Campion, allowing Allan Connolly to pounce and rattle the net for the game’s first goal. Rathdowney-Errill responded immediately through a well-taken point from Paddy Hassett, but Ballyfin’s sharpness in attack quickly reasserted itself.

Éanna Lyons produced a moment of brilliance with a superb sideline cut into the wind, while Jimmy Corrigan and a Hassett free reduced the deficit to two points. However, that was as close as Rathdowney-Errill would come. Ballyfin pressed on through scores from Darragh Connolly, Dunphy (free), and Ronan Carroll, who added a point and then a goal in quick succession.

Although Hassett replied with another free, Ballyfin struck for their third goal when Shane Connolly deftly flicked Dunphy’s delivery to the net. Rathdowney-Errill hit back with a lifeline just before the interval when Shane Dollard blocked down goalkeeper Eoin Connolly and finished into the empty goal. Lyons and Hassett (free) traded points to leave Ballyfin leading 3-5 to 1-5 at half-time.

Hassett began the second half as he ended the first with a pointed free, but Ballyfin answered immediately through Shane Connolly. Rathdowney-Errill enjoyed a brief spell of momentum as Aaron Costigan hit two fine points and Hassett converted another free to narrow the gap to four. However, Ballyfin refused to be rattled, and Jack Heffernan restored their six-point cushion with two points from play.

Hassett landed his seventh free, but further scores from Dylan Kelly and Dunphy, his first from play, stretched Ballyfin’s advantage to seven. Three late points sealed a deserved victory as Ballyfin lifted the title, confirmed their promotion to the 2025 Senior Hurling Championship, and in doing so relegated Castletown.

Ballyfin will now represent Laois in the AIB Leinster Club Intermediate Hurling Championship quarter-final, where they will face Offaly’s Lusmagh.

FINAL SCORE

Ballyfin 3-14

Rathdowney-Errill 1-11

SCORERS - Ballyfin: Gareth Dunphy 0-4 (two frees, one 65), Ronan Carroll and Shane Connolly 1-1 each, Allan Connolly 1-0, Jack Heffernan and Eanna Lyons (one sideline) 0-2 each, Darragh Connolly, Darragh Lyons, Dylan Kelly and George Lanham 0-1 each. Rathdowney-Errill: Paddy Hassett 0-8 (seven frees), Shane Dollard 1-0, Aaron Costigan 0-2, Jimmy Corrigan 0-1.

BALLYFIN: Eoin Connolly; Conal Rowney, Sean O'Neill, Sean O'Neill; James Finn, David Connolly, Max Connolly; Eanna Lyons, Darragh Connolly; Jack Heffernan, Gareth Dunphy, Eamon Duff; Shane Connolly, Allan Connolly, Ronan Carroll. Subs: Ciaran Culleton for Lyons (45, inj), Dylan Kelly for M Connolly (49), Gary Hoffmeister for Carroll (53), George Lanham for Heffernan (56), Darragh Lyons for Duff (60)

RATHDOWNEY-ERRILL: Ben Campion; Killian Carroll, Daniel Bowe, Brian Campion; Oisin Moore, Joe Fitzpatrick, Marc Treacy; James Keegan, Jimmy Corrigan; Micheal Cleary, Shane Dollard, Ben Galvin; Jacques Dowling, Paddy Hassett, Aaron Costigan. Subs: Peter Meagher for Keegan (34), Jordi Kavanagh for Galvin (41), Vinny Cleere for Dowling (54), Harry Wynne for Bowe (56), Alan Delaney for Dollard (57)

REFEREE: John Lalor (Shanahoe)