Borris-Kilcotton v The Harps
ACHL Division 1 Final – in the Centre of Excellence at 7pm
What a difference ten months makes!
The last time these two sides met in a final was on August 30, 2023, a day short of ten months ago.
But at the time, it was a very different type of final than the one they are gearing up for tonight.
On the eve of Electric Picnic last year, Borris-Kilcotton were beaten by The Harps and relegated from the Senior hurling championship.
No silverware was handed out and it was a case of relief for The Harps and misery for Borris-Kilcotton who are Premier Intermediate now as a result.
But time is a great healer and the two clubs are moving in vastly greater directions right now.
Borris-Kilcotton have defied their championship standing and reached the Laois Shopping Centre ACHL Division 1 showdown – a feat that can’t have been repeated too many times before.
While The Harps are starting to show the potential that they have following all of the underage success in recent years.
The league was extremely competitive this year with Borris-Kilcotton topping it following five wins and two defeats.
The Harps actually finished second just a point behind with both sides advancing to semi finals.
These took place on Tuesday night and were two absolute humdingers.
Borris-Kilcotton edged out Camross by 2-20 to 1-19 while The Harps defeated Rathdowney-Errill 4-14 to 0-24.
Podge Delaney did not feature for The Harps while neither did Aaron Dunphy for Borris-Kilcotton.
These were two key players for Laois this year so it will be interesting to see if either play this evening.
Jer Quinlan and PJ Fitzpatrick are likely to carry the scoring threat for Borris-Kilcotton.
James Duggan and Cody Comerford will be likewise for The Harps while Micheal Lanigan is still deadly accurate from frees.
The sides met on the very first weekend of the league on April Fool’s Day where Borris-Kilcotton triumphed 1-19 to 1-10.
That result carries little significance now and a close encounter is anticipated.
Borris-Kilcotton are looking for a first ACHL Division 1 title in their short history in this guise having come together in 2011.
There has been league success for Kilcotton in 2004, Borris-in-Ossory in 1973 and the amalgamated sides of Borris Gaels in 1990 and Wolfe Tones in 1988.
The Harps have won the league four times over their 40-year history, most recently in 2011.
