Cuddy leads the way as Laois minor hurlers secure Tier 1 spot in Leinster Championship

The Laois minor hurlers have secured their place in Tier 1 of this year's Leinster Minor Hurling Championship after they had two points to spare over Antrim in Portlaoise on Saturday afternoon.

The wind played its part from the start in this game, and it was Laois who hurled into the gale-force wind that blew directly from Abbeyleix towards The Town. Laois' game plan was executed to perfection as they actually led by a point at the break, knowing they had the wind at their backs in the second period.

It didn't go quite as smoothly for Laois in the second half as Antrim stayed in the game right up until the end, but Laois were able to eke out an important victory.

It was the away side who got off to the brighter start as they fired over the first four scores of the game inside five minutes. Centre-forward Oisin McLaren pointed three frees, while midfielder Logan McConville curled a sideline between the uprights.

Laois' response was immense as they replied with 1-2 of their own. Callum Jones got their point before LJ Cuddy slotted a free  between the posts with the wind blowing into his face. Laois' goal came after Bobby O'Connor went on a great solo run, but saw his shot saved by Damian McMahon. However, Oisin Gilligan was in the right place at the right time and he pulled on the ball on the ground and it ended up in the Antrim net.

McLaren added another free with Luke Hynes keeping Laois ahead after a great assist from Dan Downey. Then came Antrim's goal as Jay Gault scored at the back post after Eanna McGuickan had played the ball across the square. Cuddy pointed a second free, while James McGarry and Eunan Curry got points for Antrim to put them into a three-point lead.

Once again, Laois came flying back into the game with another period of 1-2 without reply. Gilligan, having scored the first goal, was the provider as Cuddy side-stepped the goalkeeper and fired the ball into an empty net. Jones and Cuddy added a point each as Laois went two points ahead approaching injury-time. Antrim ended the half with points from John Ferguson and and a free from McLaren, while Killian James scored a great point for Brendan Phelan's side. Laois led 2-7 to 1-9 at half-time.

Cuddy came out after the break and pushed Laois further ahead, but Antrim kept up with Laois score for score. McLaren got his first from play before Cuddy raised another white flag from a free. Laois' lead was cut to a single point when Connlaodh McNaughton and McLaren (free) both scored for the away side. But Laois were able to keep that bit ahead as they scored three points in a row, two Cuddy frees and a point from Hynes, which was saved over the bar at point-blank range by Damian McMahon. 

Antrim got three points back shortly after as McLaren slotted over three frees into the wind. LJ Cuddy put a 65 between the posts as Laois led by just a single point with 51 minutes played. Antrim drew the game level with next attack as McLaren pointed another free. Jerry O'Connell came off the bench for Laois to put them ahead again and Cuddy made it two points with another free. Antrim went in search of a goal to snatch the victory, but McLaren couldn't beat Ryan Keeshan after he had played a one-two from a free. 

McGuckian and Cuddy (free) traded scores late on as Laois held on for a two-point victory and with it a place in Tier 1 of the Leinster Minor Championship. They will play either Galway or Kilkenny next weekend in the first round of that.

FINAL SCORE

LAOIS 2-17

ANTRIM 1-18

SCORERS — Laois: LJ Cuddy 1-10 (0-7 frees, 0-1 65’), Oisin Gilligan 1-0, Luke Hynes and Callum Jones 0-2 each, Killian James, Bobby O’Connor, and Jerry O’Connell 0-1 each. Antrim: Oisin McLaren 0-11 (0-10 frees), Jay Gault 1-0, Connlaodh McNaughton 0-2, Eanna McGuikan, Eunan Curry, James McGarry, Logan McConville, and Johnny Ferguson 0-1 each.

LAOIS: Ryan Keeshan (Rathdowney Errill); Conor Hickey (Borris-Kilcotton), Jack Rice  (Mountrath), Darragh Keeshan (Borris-Kilcotton); Harry Donoghue (The Harps), Dan Bowe (Rathdowney-Errill), Oisin McRedmond (Portlaoise); Luke Hynes (Camross), Rory Standish (Rathdowney-Erill); Dan Downey (Park-Ratheniska/Timahoe), Callum Jones (Borris-Kilcotton), Killian James (St Paul’s); Oisin Gilligan (Ballyfin), LJ Cuddy (Camross), Bobby O’Connor (Trumera). Subs: Jamie Mahony (The Harps) for James (37 mins), Jerry O'Connell (Abbeyleix) for Standish (49 mins), Luke Delaney (Castletown) for Jones (61 mins)

ANTRIM: Damien McMahon; Joe McFadden, Domhnall McKay, Ollie McClements; Nathan McKenna, Eunan Curry, John Ferguson; Logan McConville, James McGarry; Jay Gault, Oisin McLaren, Conor McCann; Lewis Rafferty, Connlaodh McNaughton, Eanna McGuckian. Subs: Conall Dempsey for Gault (HT), Matthew Murray for McCann (51 mins)

Referee: Conor Dawson (Wexford)