Third time lucky as Rathdowney-Errill get the get the better of Clonaslee St Manman’s

Rathdowney-Errill have secured a place in the semi-finals of the Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship at the third time of asking as immaculate free-taking from Paddy Hassett saw them over the line this evening.

Hassett pointed nine frees for the eventual winners as they showed a good strong defensive shape throughout.

Both sides will be glad to see the back of this fixture with this being the third attempt at getting a full-time result. Their original quarter-final was brought in front of the  CLG Laois CCC, who determined that the wrong scoreline had been recorded and a replay was ordered.

The replay took place last Friday evening but unfortunately after 21 minutes, Rathdowney-Errill's Jordie Kavanagh suffered a serious leg injury which forced the game to be abandoned. 

Rathdowney-Errill 0-13

Clonaslee St Manman's 0-10

The game took its time to ignite as both sides struggled with the swirling wind from Storm Agnes. It was Hassett who got the game’s opening score as he split the posts with seven minutes on the clock. Rathdowney-Errill kept pushing on as they fired over the next two scores to take an early three-point advantage. Aaron Costigan and James Keegan both raised white flags for their side.

Clonaslee St Manman’s finally got their name on the scoreboard as Shay Foynes and a super score from Niall Corbet saw them reduce the deficit early on. Shane Dollard and Hassett (free) kept Rathdowney-Errrill ahead before Clonaslee St Manman’s took the game by scruff of the neck before the end of the the first-half.

Four unanswered scores from Corbet, goalkeeper James Young (free) and Paddy Hyland had them ahead by one as the game approached half-time. The last score of the half was a superb one as a splendid run from Theo Fitzpatrick saw him tee up Micheal Cleary to raise a white flag. The sides level at six points apiece.

The first two scores of the second period came from placed balls as Hassett (free) and Young (65’) both struck the sliotar over the black spot. Hassett was proving to be effective with the free-taking as he added another two points to his tally to push his side ahead by two, a lead that they wouldn’t relinquish.

Corbet and Tom Smith (free) pointed for Clonaslee St Manman’s but Hassett was there to keep pointing the frees to keep his side ahead. An eighth free from Hassett pushed his side three ahead before he added another to leave Clonaslee St Manman’s in need of a goal at least.

Cian Callaghan did get a point back for Clonaslee St Manman’s but they couldn’t muster up a goal chance to bring the match to extra-time. Rathdowney-Errill closing out the victory to win by three points.

They'll now go forward into the semi-finals to face Portlaoise on Saturday, September 7 in Laois Hire O'Moore Park at 4.30pm with the Intermediate final to follow it as Colt-Shanahoe face Trumera. Ballyfin await the winners in the Premier Intermediate final.