Camross edge goal-filled thriller against The Harps in Portlaoise
Mark Dowling and Ciaran Collier goals proved vital as Camross won an absorbing encounter
Last year's beaten finalists Camross got their Laois Shopping Centre Senior Hurling Championship campaign off to a winning start, but they were made to work every step of the way before eventually seeing off a spirited Harps side in an enthralling SHC Round 1 clash.
In a contest that produced 54 scores, seven goals and countless momentum swings, Camross always seemed to have an answer whenever The Harps threatened. Justin Duggan's hat-trick kept The Harps firmly in contention until the closing stages, but the experience and composure of the 27-time champions ultimately proved decisive as they claimed victory on Saturday evening.
Camross wasted little time in making their intentions known as Eoin Gaughan pointed after just four seconds before Mossy Keyes added another to give last year's finalists the perfect start.
Ciaran Comerford opened The Harps' account from a free before James Cuddy restored Camross' two-point cushion. Eoghan Murphy replied with a superb long-range free, but Camross struck three unanswered points through Zane Keenan (free), Tom Cuddy and Odhran Phelan. The Harps then landed the first goal of the evening. Justin Duggan blasted past Tadhg Doran to leave the minimum between the sides. Camross responded impressively once more, with Keyes, Dan Delaney and an excellent solo effort from Tom Cuddy pushing them back into a four-point lead at 0-9 to 1-2 after 13 minutes.
The Harps again fought back, stringing together four unanswered points from Duggan, Eoin Delaney and two Comerford efforts to draw level. Camross answered with another three-point burst through Keenan, Ciaran Collier and Keyes before the pendulum swung again.
Comerford edged The Harps back in front before Bobby Murphy's puck-out was brilliantly gathered by Mikey Monahan, who teed up Duggan for his second goal. Monahan then added a point as The Harps moved ahead for the first time.
Yet Camross refused to panic. Keyes, James Cuddy and a Gaughan free regained the lead before Murphy fired over two outstanding points from distance for The Harps. With the sides level entering first half stoppage time, Camross delivered a devastating finish. Gaughan landed a free and a point from play before Mark Dowling somehow carved out space to fire an excellent goal, sending Camross into the interval with a 1-18 to 2-10 advantage.
The gap stretched to nine after the restart as Keenan, Gaughan, Keyes and Phelan all found the target. Doran then produced an excellent save to deny Eoin Delaney before Comerford finally opened The Harps' second half account from a free in the 40th minute.
Dowling, Keyes and Gearoid Burke kept Camross ticking over, but the contest burst back into life entering the final quarter. Podge Delaney's long delivery found Monahan, who rifled home The Harps' third goal before Murphy and Comerford added points. Duggan then completed his hat-trick to leave just three between the sides and set up a grandstand finish.
Keenan settled Camross with two frees before Murphy responded. The decisive score soon followed as Dowling picked out Collier, who batted to the net to restore breathing space.
There was still time for more drama when Monahan won a penalty and Podge Delaney blasted home to cut the deficit to three entering injury time.
However, Camross finished the stronger. Gaughan converted a free, substitute Darren Drennan added another, Cody Comerford replied for The Harps, but late points from Burke and the influential Keyes ensured Camross opened their championship campaign with a six-point victory.
FINAL SCORE
Camross 2-31
The Harps 5-16
SCORERS-- Camross: Tomas Keyes 0-8, Eoin Gaughan 0-6 (0-3 frees), Zane Keenan 0-5 (0-4 frees), Mark Dowling and Ciaran Collier 1-1 each, James Cuddy, Tom Cuddy, Odhran Phelan, and Gearoid Burke 0-2 each, Daniel Delaney and Darren Drennan 0-1 each. The Harps: Justin Duggan 3-1, Ciaran Comerford 0-7 (0-3 frees), Eoghan Murphy 0-5 (0-1 free), Mikey Monaghan 1-1, Podge Delaney 1-0 (peno), Eoin Delaney and Cody Comerford 0-1 each.
CAMROSS: Tadhg Doran; Aaron Carroll, Darragh Duggan, Dwane Palmer; Eoghan Cuddy, Cathal Cuddy, Tom Cuddy; Odhran Phelan, Eoin Gaughan; Zane Keenan, Ciaran Collier, Dan Delaney; Mossy Keyes, Mark Dowling, James Cuddy. Subs: Gearoid Burke for Delaney (40 min), Conor Mortimer for Palmer (46 min), Darren Drennan for J Cuddy (53 min), Liam Delaney for Phelan (58 min).
THE HARPS: Bobby Murphy; Donal Deegan, Cody Comerford; Jack Kennedy, Podge Delaney, Eoghan Murphy; Tiarnach Doheny, Padraic Dunne; Tony Mahony, Ciaran Comerford, Ross Deegan; Justin Duggan, Mikey Monahan, Eoin Delaney. Subs: Rian Edwards for Doheny (HT), John Brophy for E. Delaney (40 min), Liam Kirby for Mahony (53 min), Rory Dunne for D. Deegan (54 mins).
REFEREE: John Lalor (Shanahoe)