Castletown far too strong as they defeat Rathdowney-Errill to win Division One Minor hurling league

Castletown have been crowned Division 1 Minor Hurling League champions after a dominant display against Rathdowney-Errill in the LOETB Centre of Excellence this evening.

Two goals from Ryan O'Connor as well as a superb all-round performance from centre-back Ryan Peters proved crucial for their victory. Kyron Cuddy was top scorer on the night with nine points for the victorious side.

Castletown 2-17

Rathdowney-Errill 1-9

Castletown got the game’s scoring underway as Kyron Cuddy split the posts early on. They almost got in for a goal only for the quick instincts of goalkeeper Jack Delaney. The keeper had to subsequently go off for a blood substitute due to the ball hitting his helmet and drawing blood.

Rathdowney-Errill’s first score came courtesy of Eoin Bracken before Castletown pointed three times without any reply. Tom Og Phelan and two scores from Cuddy, one from a placed ball, gave them an early three-point advantage.

Bracken pointed his second free with Castletown replying with another two scores unanswered as Cuddy pointed after a super run while Daniel Whelan opened his tally for the contest with a score from play. Lorcan Dunne pointed for Rathdowney-Errill before another period of dominance followed for the eventual victors. Whelan pointed his second of the game with Cuddy pointing from play and from a placed ball.

Bracken pointed a free in reply as they struggled to create any clear cut scoring chances. Castletown made sure they would have a healthy lead at half-time as they fired in 1-2 before the break. Ryan O'Connor blasting the ball into the net before he pointed himself. Cuddy took his tally to seven points for the half as he slotted over a free with Bracken pointing a free of his own for Rathdowney-Errill. Cuddy's side leading 1-11 to 0-5 at the break.

Rathdowney-Errill came out fighting in the second-half as they struck for goal after the resumption. Oision Smeaton raised a white flag while Bracken teed up half-time substitute Rory Standish to unleash a rasping shot into the Castletown net. Killian Breen and Callum Peters both pointed for Castletown as they now led by seven points. 

Bracken kept the scoreboard ticking for his side as he pointed another free. Castletown captain Ethan Neville and Fionn Cuddy both split the posts with Kyron Cuddy getting another score from a 65'. Bracken was proving Rathdowney-Errill's only scoring hope as he pointed two frees before the end of the contest. Castletown would get in for a second goal as O'Connor rattled the Rathdowney-Errill net for the second time. Rathdowney-Errill ended the game with 14 men as Smeaton received his marching orders from referee Padraig Dunne.

Castletown worthy winners in the end as they recorded a 2-17 to 1-9 victory to claim the Division 1 Minor Hurling League crown.