Picky Maher stars as Clough/Ballacolla defeat Camross in Laois GAA SHC
Camross stayed in contention throughout before a late goal from Mark Hennessy proved decisive
Clough/Ballacolla made it three wins from three in their Laois Shopping Centre Senior Hurling Championship campaign after a brilliant second half display saw them overcome Camross by three points in Laois Hire O'Moore Park on Friday night.
Once again, Stephen 'Picky' Maher was the leading light for Clough/Ballacolla and, once again, he proved to be the difference-maker, finishing with 13 points to his name while also creating a host of chances for his team.
In a poor first half, littered with wides, the county champions got the scoring underway inside the opening minute as Picky made an immediate impact with a point from a free.
Willie Dunphy doubled their lead with a well-taken score from play, but Camross responded well and were soon level. Eoin Gaughan nailed a brace of points as the sides were tied at 0-2 apiece after six minutes. Dunphy hit another from a sideline before Picky Maher added a second free to restore Clough/Ballacolla's two-point lead.
The teams then traded points on two occasions, though by that stage there had already been nine wides in the opening 13 minutes. Picky grabbed both Clough/Ballacolla scores, while Mark Dowling and Gaughan replied for Camross.
Cillian Dunne then got in on the act with a point from play, while Picky produced an outrageous effort from near the sideline. Zane Keenan and Tomas Keyes responded with two in a row for Camross as Clough/Ballacolla led by just a point in the closing stages of the half.
The game came to life approaching the interval as Willie Dunphy and Mark Dowling traded points. Joe Corby then added another score to the Clough/Ballacolla tally, but Camross had the final say of the half through Liam Delaney, leaving the score 0-10 to 0-9 in favour of Clough/Ballacolla at the break.
The second half was a much better contest, with the winners opening the scoring through Jordan Walshe and Picky Maher. The game's first goal arrived through Mossy Keyes for Camross, sparking an entertaining second period as both teams found their scoring range.
Clough/Ballacolla responded with two more points from Picky as the Camross defence struggled to keep him at bay. Jordan Walshe, who enjoyed an excellent second half, added another point before substitute Daniel Delaney replied for Camross as the sides continued to go score for score.
Both teams again traded points on several occasions, with Picky adding two for Clough/Ballacolla while James Cuddy and Keyes responded with two for Camross to keep them firmly in contention.
Picky and Keyes continued to exchange scores as only a point separated the sides midway through the half. Clough/Ballacolla then struck for two unanswered points through an inspirational effort from Walshe before Dunphy added another as they began to take control.
Gaughan converted another free to keep Camross in touch before Picky responded with another crucial point. The decisive moment arrived when Clough/Ballacolla struck for a goal, excellently finished by Mark Hennessy, and it looked as though the game was beyond Camross.
James Cuddy added another score before Picky landed Clough/Ballacolla's final point in the 59th minute. Keyes converted another free before Cuddy had a glorious chance to bring Camross right back into the contest, only to see his effort drift agonisingly wide.
Gaughan and Ciaran Collier struck the final two scores of the game, but it wasn't enough as Clough/Ballacolla held on to make it three wins from three.
FINAL SCORE
Clough/Ballacolla 1-22
Camross 1-19
SCORERS - Clough/Ballacolla: Stephen 'Picky' Maher 0-13 (0-8 frees), Willie Dunphy (one sideline) and Jordan Walshe 0-3 each, Mark Hennessy 1-0, Cillian Dunne 0-2, Joe Corby 0-1. Camross: Tomas Keyes 1-5 (0-4 frees), Eoin Gaughan 0-5 (0-2 frees), Zane Keenan (frees), Mark Dowling and James Cuddy 0-2 each, Liam Delaney, Daniel Delaney and Ciaran Collier 0-1 each
CLOUGH/BALLACOLLA: Cathal Dunne; Diarmaid Conway, Darren Maher, Cormac Hogan; Brian Corby, Ronan Broderick, Lee Cleere; Joe Corby, Picky Maher; Mark Hennessy, Jordan Walshe, Robbie Phelan; Stephen Bergin, Cillian Dunne, Willie Dunphy. Subs: Colm Brennan for Bergin (45 mins), Lochlainn Conway for Corby (50 mins).
CAMROSS: Tadhg Doran; Aaron Carroll, Darragh Duggan, Conor Mortimer; Eoghan Cuddy, Cathal Cuddy, Tom Cuddy; Eoin Gaughan, Liam Delaney; Gearoid Burke, Ciaran Collier, Tomas Keyes; Zane Keenan, Mark Dowling, James Cuddy. Subs: Darren Drennan for Burke and Daniel Delaney for Keenan (Both 41 mins), Odhran Phelan for Delaney (57 mins)
REFEREE: Anthony Stapleton (Rathdowney-Errill)