The fourth week of the Laois hurling championships has come to an end and another Team of the Week is here.
We had significant games in the SHC, Premier IHC and IHC over the weekend.
We are now down to the semi finals in the Senior and Premier Intermediate grades while the IHC finalists are now known.
Following all the games, we have managed to whittle our team down to 15 players.
In total, 10 clubs are represented this week – with Camross leading the way with four.
Check it out below:
1 – Cillian Tiernan (Camross)
One of the few goalkeepers to keep a clean sheet over the weekend, Cillian Tiernan gets the nod here.
His senior colleague Tadhg Doran did too, but Tiernan had far more to do as his penalty save from Eoin Bourke proved crucial as Camross reached the Premier IHC semi finals once again.
2 – John Purcell (Rathdowney-Errill)
Operated as a sweeper for Rathdowney-Errill in the win over Rosenallis and played the role expertly.
He has a great hurling brain and that allowed him to constantly end up in the correct positions to snuff out Rosenallis attacks.
3 – Sean Downey (Ballinakill)
One of Laois’ most consistent performers in 2021, Sean Downey has carried that form into the club championship.
Although Ballinakill weren’t at their best against Clonaslee, he still shone and won virtually every ball that came his way.
4 – Tom Delaney (Slieve Bloom)
A last gasp goal in injury time saved Slieve Bloom from Premier IHC relegation at the weekend.
While they weren’t at their best, full back Tom Delaney was. He made countless interceptions and blocks over the hour and his side would not have won without him.
5 – Gearoid Burke (Camross)
Was outstanding at centre-back for Camross against Castletown, particularly in the opening half when they laid the foundations for their win.
Won a couple of puckouts, made one excellent block, read the play well and also chipped in with a great point from play from distance.
6 – Podge Delaney (The Harps)
With The Harps’ senior status on the line in their relegation playoff against Abbeyleix, Delaney put in his best performance of the year.
Hit three points from play and led brilliantly from start to finish.
7 – Ryan Mullaney (Castletown)
Mullaney was on Zane Keenan and held Camross’s key forward relatively well from play.
Got on a lot of ball himself and hit a couple of good points, including one exceptional effort in the second half.
8 – Liam Senior (Clonaslee)
Despite so many injuries and the bulk of the players playing for the seventh week on the trot, Clonaslee St Manman’s put in a fine performance against Ballinakill.
Liam Senior was their driving force from midfield and scored a great goal in the second half. Will be hoping to get more of an opportunity with Laois next year.
9 – Darrell Dooley (Camross)
With several senior championship medals in his back pocket, Darrell Dooley now plies his trade with Camross’ second team.
He covered every blade of grass in the win over Rathdowney-Errill and contributed three points too.
10 – Paddy Keating (Rosenallis)
Keating was the best player on the field in the opening half of Rosenallis’s quarter-final loss to Rathdowney-Errill as he was a constant scoring threat and also caused problems with his running game.
Joe Fitzpatrick was able to limit his influence somewhat in the second half but Keating still finished with 0-7, three of them from play
11 – John O’Loughlin (Rosenallis)
O’Loughlin enjoyed a right good battle with Liam O’Connell and caused plenty of problems with his physicality and ability to win ball.
But he also hit three points from play in a very effective showing.
12 – Sean O’Callaghan (Colt-Shanahoe)
Affectionately known as ‘Viking’, O’Callaghan’s heroic display almost led Colt-Shanahoe to safety last week.
He scored 1-4 from play with all of his points from distance while the goal looked like it could be the winner until right at the very end.
13 – Adam Kirwan (Trumera)
Trumera have been really impressive since losing the delayed 2020 IHC final in the summer – and this young man has been to the fore.
Adam Kirwan scored six points in the win over Borris-Kilcotton – and the final two were absolute peaches.
14 – Cha Dwyer (Ballinakill)
In soccer, you can hear of a player scoring the perfect hat-trick in a game (goals with left foot, right foot and the head) but Cha Dwyer did the hurling equivalent on Saturday.
He began the game with a free, point from play, sideline cut and a 65 – Dwyer then smashed home a goal from a free for good measure.
15 – David Mortimer (Camross)
Camross have a very well-balanced forward line and while Zane Keenan and Mark Dowling were contained quite well by Castletown, some of their newer names came to the fore.
David Mortimer is having a fine season and he hit three points here, including one absolute gem of a score from a really tight angle in the first half.
