Goals prove key as Portlaoise crowned Division 2 hurling champions

Three first-half goals from Portlaoise was crucial in their defeat in this evening's Laois Shopping Centre ACHL Division 2 final clash against Ballinakill in the LOETB Centre of Excellence this evening.

Brian Duggan was the star of the show for Ballinakill but his 13 points weren't enough to propel his side to victory. Portlaoise's Aaron Bergin top-scored with 2-5 as his first-half performance gave Portlaoise a strong base to build on.

Portlaoise 3-20

Ballinakill 1-21

Portlaoise got proceedings underway with a score from a placed ball as Bergin opened his tally for the evening. Seamus Fiztpatrick replied instantly for Ballinakill as Killian Fitzpatrick's side had a strong breeze in the first-half. Bergin's first goal would follow as the full-forward made no mistake in drilling the ball past Michael Fleming in the Ballinakill net. That would be Portlaoise's last score for quite some time as Ballinakill made the most of the wind advantage.

Having been down by three points after Bergin's goal, Ballinakill would be four points up by the time Portlaoise would register another score as they fired over seven points without any Portlaoise resistance. Duggan pointed five times with three of them coming from frees. Cathal O'Shaughnessy and Eddie Dwyer got the other two points for Fitzpatrick's side.

All of Ballinakill's good work would soon count for nothing as Eddie Critchley's sideline found Bergin, who made no mistake in getting his second goal of the contest. Portlaoise's next score came from another sideline as this time it was Bergin who found Dylan Sheehan with his low effort nestling in the back of the net. Sean Culleton also dissected the posts as Portlaoise now led by three points having been down by four.

Cathal O'Shaughnessy pointed for the second occasion before Niall Gleeson traded scores with Duggan (65'). Ben Brennan and a second point from Culleton pushed Portlaoise further ahead, however their four-point lead would soon be evaporated. Cian O'Shaughnessy and another placed ball from Duggan was coupled with a good finish from Cathal O'Shaughnessy as Ballinakill now held a one-point lead approaching half-time. Bergin pointed a 65' for Portlaoise with Duggan replying with one of his own. Cormac Rigney and Fitzpatrick traded scores before the end of the half as Ballinakill led 1-14 to 3-7.

Portlaoise, now with the aid of a stiff breeze, pushed themselves ahead early into the second period as Bergin pointed two more frees. Duggan replied with two scores of his own, one from a free. Portlaoise would soon hit the front however as they rattled off six scores unanswered to push them into the driving seat. Frank Flanagan pointed two in a row while Cian Taylor also raised two white flags with a Rigney point sandwiched in between Taylor's points. Bergin pointed another free as his side now held a five-point advantage.

Two frees from Duggan and a score in reply from Rigney left four between the sides. Rigney and Taylor both raised a white flag each as the game looked to be slipping from the grasps of Ballinakill. Fitzpatrick and Taylor traded scores but it was goals needed for Ballinakill to have any chance of getting back into the contest. Duggan (free) and a point from Cian O'Shaughnessy pushed Portlaoise's lead back to four but Sheehan made sure of the victory with a point from play as Portlaoise ran out five-point winners in the end.

Both sides will renew rivalries again in the final group game of the upcoming Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship with the game due to be played Thursday August 17.