Camross back in business with big win over Clough-Ballacolla
It was Camross' first victory in this year's championship
Camross reignited their Laois Shopping Centre SHC campaign with a statement win over reigning champions Clough-Ballacolla, handing them their first defeat of the championship.
After collecting just one point from their opening two games, Camross were transformed by the return of Tomas Keyes, Mark Dowling, Joe Phelan and Eoin Dowling. Keyes starred with 1-6 from play in a standout performance.
Clough-Ballacolla welcomed back Diarmaid Conway, but he struggled to contain Keyes. The sides traded early scores before Keyes rattled the net after a strong run and pass from Dowling. Clough-Ballacolla responded well, with Willie Dunphy and Stephen Bergin on target to lead 0-11 to 1-7 at the break.
The champions stretched their advantage to 0-16 to 1-11 after 43 minutes, but then went 12 minutes without scoring. Camross took full advantage as Dowling struck a crucial goal to swing the momentum. Keenan (frees), Keyes and James Cuddy all added points as Camross pulled away.
Bergin broke Clough-Ballacolla’s drought late on, but Camross had done enough to seal a deserved and morale-boosting victory.
Next up for Clough-Ballacolla is a repeat of the 2024 County Final as they take on Rathdowney-Errill, while Camross will play Ballinakill, fresh from their superb victory over The Harps.
Final Score
Camross 2-19
Clough-Ballacolla 0-18
SCORERS - Camross: Tomas Keyes 1-6, Zane Keenan 0-8 (0-6 frees, 0-2 65’s), Mark Dowling 1-1, James Cuddy and Tom Cuddy 0-2 each. Clough-Ballacolla: Stephen Bergin 0-10 (0-5 frees), Cillian Dunne 0-4, Mark Hennessy 0-2, Podge Brennan and Willie Dunphy 0-1 each
CAMROSS: Tadhg Doran; Darragh Duggan, Cathal Cuddy, Joe Pehlan; Eoin Dowling, Eoin Gaughan, Liam Delaney; Eoghan Cuddy, Odhran Phelan; Tom Cuddy, Ciaran Collier, Zane Keenan; James Cuddy, Mark Dowling, Tomas Keyes. Subs: Rob Tyrell for O Phelan (55 mins), Dwane Palmer for Delaney (58 mins), Ashton Keenan for M Dowling (62 mins)
CLOUGH-BALLACOLLA: Cathal Dunne; Diarmaid Conway, Joseph Pearson, Lochlainn Conway; Cormac Hogan, Lee Cleere, Jordan Walsh; Robbie Phelan, Brian Corby; Willie Dunphy, Aidan Corby, Joe Corby; Cillian Dunne, Mark Hennessy, Stephen Bergin. Subs: Kevin Mulhall for B Corby (39 mins), Podge Brennan for R Phelan and Kevin Hyland for Hennessy (both 53 mins)
REFEREE: Patrick Phelan (Castletown)