Phelan's late point the match-winner as Castletown defeat The Harps in Minor Hurling final

Castletown are the 2024 Midlands Park Hotel Minor Hurling champions after a titanic battle with the reigning champions The Harps in Laois Hire O'Moore Park on Sunday afternoon.

The game was played in front of a massive crowd and what a game it was. The lead was exchanged on a number of occasions but it was ultimately a point from Tom Og Phelan that saw the cup go to Castletown.

Castletown 2-18

The Harps 1-20

The Harps came flying out of the blocks with four scores in the opening five minutes. Midfielder Aaron Mahon was the scorer of the game's first point with Eoin Delaney, who scored 2-3 in the 2023 County Final, opening his account having missed a free at the beginning of the game. Delaney had a shot on goal saved by Odhran Cuddy but Jay Brophy was on hand to fire the rebound between the posts. Mahon raised a second white flag soon after.

Tom Og Phelan got Castletown up and running after six minutes with a point from play. The next four scores were traded as Kyron Cuddy slotted over two frees while Delaney took his tally to three with a point from a placed ball and from play. Centre-back and The Harps captain Hugh Whelan dissected the posts from a long-range free. Delaney added another point to his name to give them a 0-8 to 0-3 lead after 14 minutes. 

Callum Peters went on a great run from the Castletown midfield for their fourth point. Delaney replied almost instantly down the other end but it was from here that Castletown took control of the game and fired in 1-4 without reply. 

Phelan and three points from the stick of Kyron Cuddy as well as a goal from Luke Delaney put Castletown ahead by two points. John O'Brien raised a white flag to end a 10-minute spell without a score for The Harps. Kyron Cuddy pointed another free with Delaney doing likewise for his side. Delaney was then on the end of a ball from Liam Townsend which landed over the top of the Castletown defence and left him one-on-one with Odhran Cuddy and Delaney blasted the ball past him. Odhran Cuddy was then called into action saving from both Delaney and Jamie Mahony. Kyron Cuddy pointed a free to end the first-half with The Harps leading 1-11 to 1-10.

The Harps got the first point of the second-half courtesy of Ross Deegan. Castletown then hit another purple patch with 1-3 unanswered all coming from that man again, Kyron Cuddy. He scored a wonderful goal as he flicked the ball over the onrushing Ethan Lafferty with two of the points coming from frees.

Delaney replied with three points of his own to cut Castletown's lead to a single point. Kyron Cuddy (65') and Phelan raised white flags to leave a goal between the sides. Seven minutes later, the game was level as Delaney slotted over three frees. Odhran Cuddy then made a marvelous save from Jay Brophy as he stuck out a leg to deny Brophy. John O'Brien pointed to put The Harps ahead with five minutes to play.

Kyron Cuddy's free in the 57th minute ended an 11-minute period without getting a score. Castletown went ahead yet again a minute later courtesy of man-of-the-match Kyron Cuddy. With four minutes added on, The Harps needed a score to level it and it was their top-scorer Delaney who got the point to see the sides all square again. Phelan would have the final say however as he struck the ball between the posts to claim victory for Castltown. Odhran Cuddy had to prevent a game-winning goal late on as he saved from Delaney.