Laois Today: 10 clubs represented in our latest hurling Team of The Week

It was another very busy weekend on the hurling scene with games taking place across the top three grades.

Our handy guide to all of the grades explains all of the permutations from the weekend’s games.

As ever, picking a starting 15 from all of the games that took place is a tough ask but we have done our best.

Rosenallis’s shock win over Camross sees them get three representatives while Corris-Kilcotton, Rathdowney-Errill and Clough-Ballacolla have two each.

A total of ten clubs are represented this week.

Check out our selection below:

1 – Gavin Conroy (Slieve Bloom)

Nothing the Slieve Bloom stopper could do about Eamon Duff’s goal – but he did everything else perfectly.

His side came good at the end to defeat Ballyfin in a ding dong battle and his two long range frees were crucial in that win.

2 – John Maher (Rosenallis)

Maher was one of many Rosenallis players playing a second senior championship game in a week having also been on the club’s football team beaten narrowly by Barrowhouse.

Here he played exceptional stuff in a sweeper-like role, cutting out an amount of ball over the course of the 60 minutes, using it well and also landing an inspirational score in the first half.

3 – Ciaran McEvoy (Portlaoise)

Ciarán McEvoy makes our latest Football Team of the week — Ciarán McEvoy

The dual star was immense on Sunday in defence for Portlaoise.

Came out with the ball in his hand on numerous occasions and scored a delightful point as Portlaoise secured a semi-final spot.

4 – Fiachra C-Fennell (Rosenallis)

The lively Fennell rarely has a poor game – in hurling or football – and he was again top class here. He got through a mountain of work and his energy, work rate and application was again of the highest standard

5 – Jordan Walshe (Clough-Ballacolla)

Started at wing forward but after an early hamstring injury to Michael McEvoy saw him shuffled back to the half back line where he showed his versatility.

Usually a forward, Walshe defended very well and also popped up with a great point as well.

6 – Thep Fitzpatrick (Rathdowney-Errill)

Has made the step up to the senior grade seamlessly enough and was, like most of his teammates, in fine form in the win over Castletown.

He contributed two points from wing back and is growing into the role as each game passes.

7 – Conor Cosgrove (Rosenallis)

Cosgrove set the tone for Rosenallis early on when he came down along the wing under the stand and shot a brilliant point into the town end.

He got a lot of ball and really fronted up to Camross in the physical stakes

8 – Fionn Holland (Clonad)

Clonad got their first win of this year’s championship following a three point victory over Ballypickas at the weekend.

They had a number of good performers but Holland ran the show in midfield and contributed six points too.

9 – Nigel Murphy (Mountmellick)

The Mountmellick hurlers began 2017 as a Junior ‘B’ side and three years later, they are now safely through to the semi finals of the Intermediate with a game to display.

They got the better of the side who knocked them out last year – Borris-Kilcotton – and Emo footballer Nigel Murphy was excellent, scoring 1-2 from midfield.

10 – Mark Kavanagh (Rathdowney-Errill)

Kavanagh was carrying a hand injury in the opening round against Clough-Ballacolla but he looked fully recovered here and was in razor-sharp form.

Was back on the free-taking duties and finished with a massive 17 points to his name – most of them frees, but a couple of lovely efforts from play too.

11 – Joe Campion (Borris-Kilcotton)

Borris-Kilcotton blew Ballinakill away to reach the semi final and the display of this man certainly helped.

Rarely has a bad game and scored two brilliant goals as Borris-Kilcotton finished with 6-21 in the end.

12 – Kevin Lalor (Camross)

Only introduced late in the first half for the injured Darren Drennan, who himself was impressing up to then, but Lalor made a big impact.

Scored 1-1 and really got the best out of the players around him, using the ball well and making space for his team mates as Camross defeated Mountrath in the Premier Intermediate.

13 – Philip Russell (The Harps)

The Harps did some pre-season business by getting this man in and it certainly paid off as they were worthy winners over Clonaslee.

Russell, who played senior hurling for Laois and moved over from Galmoy, scored 2-1 and his forward ability will give them something a bit different this year.

14 – Stephen Maher (Clough-Ballacolla)