All square as Ballypickas as Abbeyleix share the spoils in junior hurling championship

Abbeyleix 0-18 Ballypickas 0-18
Laois JHC ‘A’ Round 2

Neighours Abbeyleix and Ballypickas played out an exciting draw in the second round of the Laois JHC ‘A’ in the Laois GAA Centre of Excellence this evening.

It’s a result that keeps both sides in contention for a semi-final place – but they will need to win their final group game to advance.

Abbeyleix had looked poised for victory as they led by two points late on but Ballypickas battled to the final whistle with a Michael McKeogh free with the final puck of the game, after Daire McWey had been fouled, ensuring the sides finished level.

There was little between them throughout and it was 0-8 apiece at half time before Abbeyleix stretched three clear at the second water break.

But Ballypickas hung in to ensure this group goes down to the final round of games on the weekend after next.

Ballypickas had won their first game against Mountrath while Abbeyleix had drawn their opening round against Castletown.

It means that Ballypickas and Castletown are tied on three points each, Abbeyleix are on two and Mountrath are on zero.

Ballypickas and Castletown meet in the final group game where a draw would send both through but whoever loses would be out if Abbeyleix beat Mountrath.

On the other side of the draw, Camross and Rathdowney-Errill are already assured of their semi-final place having won their first two games while Portlaoise and Colt-Shanahoe are out of contention.

ABBBEYLEIX: David Sheeran; JJ Murphy, PJ Corby, David Walshe; Eamon Fitzpatrick, Tomas Moore, Liam Doyle; Stephen Reilly, Sam Quinn; Conor Bergin, Eoin Egan, Tomas Walton; Kevin Fitzpatrick, Lewis Churchouse, Alan Lynch. Sub: Callum Mullen for Churchouse.

BALLYPICKAS: Noel Concannon; Tim Cass, Kieran Bowe, Michael Downey; William McDonald, Liam Lalor, Brian Brennan; Aaron O’Dea, James Hennessy, Ger Whelan, Paddy Boggan, MJ Lalor; Noel Leech, Michael McKeogh, Colin Kinsella. Subs: Matthew Boggan, Daire McWey, Tristan Brennan

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source https://www.laoistoday.ie/2021/09/14/all-square-as-ballypickas-as-abbeyleix-share-the-spoils-in-junior-hurling-championship/