Park-Ratheniska 4-9 The Heath 3-7
Laois MFC ‘B’ Shield Final
In the first of this season’s minor football finals, Park-Ratheniska and The Heath took to the field in the ‘B’ Shield decider.
The sides served up a hugely entertaining game in greasy conditions at the Laois GAA Centre of Excellence in Portlaoise.
The Heath got off to a great start and were full value for a six-point lead at half-time.
However, as the game entered the final minutes, Park-Ratheniska hit 2-3 without reply to win by five points.
The Heath were full of running in the early stages and their direct style of play caused Park-Ratheniska plenty of problems.
Their midfield and half-forward line were finding plenty of
space as they raced into a 1-6 to 0-1 lead after just twelve minutes.
Tony Walsh raised the green flag, finishing a great team move to fire into the back of the net.
Park-Ratheniska then scored two goals in as many minutes – both from Jack Murrell to reduce the deficit to just a point midway through the half.
Not to be out done, The Heath responded with two goals of their own.
Direct from a kick-out, they put a sweeping move together that saw Patrick Callaghan through on goal and he made no mistake.
Just before halftime, The Heath capitalised on some indecision by Park-Ratheniska, allowing and Johnny Phelan to finish, leaveing his side well ahead at the break.
Park-Ratheniska were a different side after the restart and some positional switches made all the difference.
They played some great football and slowly but surely started to dominate and chip away at The Heath lead.
Tom Fingleton and Ben Peacham were linking play impressively in the middle third, and three points in a row had Park-Ratheniska within striking distance.
The Heath were under pressure but they broke up field and a pointed free in the 54th minute seemed to have them back on track as the game entered the final stages.
Park pressed for a much-needed goal but a fine effort from Ross Brennan was deflected out for a 45.
With just a minute left in normal time, Conor Headon struck the placed ball from the ground and floated it towards the goal where Matt Cunningham rose highest to fist the ball to the net.
With their tails up and plenty of encouragement from their supporters, two quick-fire points from Aaron Fitzpatrick and Ben Peacham had Park in front for the first time in injury time.
A fine goal by Cillian Dunne and another point by Peacham stretched the lead to five points at the final whistle as Park-Ratheniska finished victorious.
PARK-RATHENISKA: Barry Connolly; Cayle Bourke, Mikey Shiels, Eoin Brennan; Dinny Troy, Matt Cunningham, Conor Kavanagh; Jack Murrell, Conor Headen; Ben Peacham, Tom Fingleton, Theo Adams; Cillian Bowe, Ethan Kelly, Ross Brennan. Subs: Ciaran McEvoy for Shiels, Eoghan Kennedy for Murrell, Aaron Fizpatrick for Bourke, Cillian Dunne for Brennan.
THE HEATH: Robert Keane; Jack Fennell, Cillian Tynan, Thomas Major; Tadhg Whelan, Liam Whelan, Eamonn Browne; Tony Walsh, Daniel Booth; Patrick Callaghan, Sean Kirby, Alex Maritz; Denis Browne, John Conroy, Johnny Phelan. Subs: Harry Browne, Ryan Keane, Cormac Harney.
SEE ALSO – Laois player stars at Darts World Cup in Denmark at the weekend
