Clough-Ballacolla 2-21 Rosenallis 0-18
Laois SHC Semi-final
Clough-Ballacolla are through to the Laois Shopping Centre SHC final after proving too strong for a gallant Rosenallis side in O’Moore Park on Sunday.
A powerful second-half performance did the trick for the men in blue and gold, as they dominated proceedings in the second half after an evenly contested opening 30 minutes. They will now take on Borris-Kilcotton in the decider, which will be played under lights in O’Moore Park.
Much like the first semi-final on Suday, this game started at a terrific pace, with Picky Maher opening the scoring in the first minute as he cut in from the right wing to point off his left.
Jack Conroy levelled proceedings with a point from distance, but Clough-Ballacolla replied with interest. A huge clearance down the field was fielded inside the penalty area by Stephen Maher, and he created space for himself before powering a shot to the net.
If Rosenallis were daunted by that strong Clough-Ballacolla start they didn’t show it, as Paddy Keating settled them down with two pointed frees to leave just one between them.
Clough-Ballacolla replied with a brace of their own as Jordan Walshe and Robbie Phelan both hit the target, but in keeping with the fast pace of the game, Rosenallis came back.
Fiachra C Fennell scored a brilliant point from just inside his own half, while Paddy Keating then hit a free to leave just one between them with ten minutes played.
Clough-Ballacolla restored their two point lead with a free from Picky Maher, but two Keating frees meant the teams were level at the water break, 0-7 to 1-4.
Rosenallis kept that good form going after the break and Keating (free) and Jack Conroy put them two ahead, with Robbie Phelan hitting back for Clough-Ballacolla.
Keating was the main source of scores for Rosenallis in the first half, all from placed balls, and he pointed a 65 in the 25th minute to put Rosenallis two clear again. That sparked Clough-Ballacolla into a higher gear, and two Willie Dunphy points drew them level before Mark Hennessy put them in front.
Jordan Walshe added two more for them either side of another Keating free, as Clough-Ballacolla led by 1-10 to 0-11 at half-time.
Clough-Ballacolla took that strong finish to the first half and kept it going in the second half as they hit three points on the trot in the opening five minutes. Corner-back Brian Corby got the first from midfield, then Mark Hennessy and Stephen Maher (free) pushed them into a five point lead.
Rosenallis were struggling to get going in attack now, and saw a couple of half-chances for goal for Brian Fitzpatrick and Paddy Keating repelled by a resolute Clough-Ballacolla rearguard.
John Lennon gave Rosenallis reason to cheer with a point from 50 yards out, but within seconds Jordan Walshe sent his fourth of the game sailing between the posts at the other end. Willie Dunphy then got a sight of goal but his shot was saved by Stephen Kelly.
Dunphy made amends with a point from the right wing a few minutes later, and another point from Picky Maher from the right side saw Ballacolla lead by seven at the water break.
Two more from Picky Maher, both from play, meant the writing was on the wall for Rosenallis, as Clough-Ballacolla were just operating a different level now right across the field.
When play got back under way Picky Maher hit a couple more from play and Willie Hyland added another from midfield to leave Rosenallis with a mountain to climb. In fairness to them, they tried to scale it, managing to put a run of four points without reply together.
Brian Fitzpatrick for the first, with Paddy Keating getting the next from a free. John O’Loughlin and Keating (free) got the next two as they were now within six and contemplating a possible comeback, but Clough-Ballacolla soon dispelled those notions.
Lee Cleere played a lovely ball into Stephen Bergin 21 yards out, and he jinked his way into space before firing to the net. Two more points, from Bergin himself and a Picky Maher free, rounded off the win for Clough-Ballacolla, who now take on Borris-Kilcotton in the final in two weeks time.
SCORERS – Rosenallis: Paddy Keating 0-10 (0-9 frees, 0-1 65), Jack Conroy 0-2, Fiachra C Fennell 0-2, John Lennon 0-2, Brian Fitzpatrick 0-1, John O’Loughlin 0-1. Clough-Ballacolla: Stephen Maher 1-7 (0-3 frees), Jordan Walsh 0-4, Stephen Bergin 1-1, Willie Dunphy 0-3, Mark Hennessy 0-2, Robbie Phelan 0-2, Brian Corby, Willie Hyland 0-1 each.
ROSENALLIS: Stephen Kelly; John Maher, Marcus Redmond, Ruaidhri C Fennell; Fiachra C Fennell, Cathal C Fennell, Conor Cosgrove; Thomas Keating, Jack Conroy; Donagh Callally, John O’Loughlin, Ronan Murray; John Lennon, Brian Fitzpatrick, Patrick Keating. Subs: Jack Friel for Conroy (28 mins, inj), Walter Murphy for Murray (50 mins), Shane Farrell for Callally (55 mins, inj).
CLOUGH-BALLACOLLA: Cathal Dunne; Brian Corby, Darren Maher, Diarmaid Conway; Ronan Broderick, Michael McEvoy, Lee Cleere; Willie Hyland, Aidan Corby; Robbie Phelan, Jordan Walshe, Mark Hennessy; John Dwyer, Stephen Maher, Willie Dunphy. Subs: Stephen Bergin for Dwyer (34 mins), Sean Corby for A Corby (54 mins), John A Delaney for Hyland (59 mins), Eoin Doyle for Hennessy (60 mins)
REFEREE: Padraig Dunne (Colt)
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source https://www.laoistoday.ie/2020/09/27/clough-ballacolla-pull-clear-in-second-half-to-see-off-rosenallis/
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