Three-goal Clough-Ballacolla too strong for Abbeyleix in Laois GAA PIHC relegation decider

Clough-Ballacolla will remain in the Laois Shopping Centre Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship for 2026 after they saw off Abbeyleix St Lazarian’s in Sunday morning’s relegation final in Errill.

Both sides came into the contest on the back of three straight defeats in their respective groups, meaning survival was the sole focus. What followed was a fiercely contested affair for long spells, but a devastating burst in the final quarter ultimately ensured Clough-Ballacolla preserved their status while Abbeyleix must now regroup in the Intermediate ranks next year.

Clough-Ballacolla got off the mark inside the opening minute when Eoin Duggan slotted over. However, Abbeyleix struck the first major blow after three minutes as Alan McWey latched onto possession and drilled the sliotar into the back of the net. Jim Hyland responded quickly with a point, but McWey remained lively, adding a fine score from play before stretching the Abbeyleix tally to 1-2 with another well-taken effort.

Chris Rafter replied for Clough-Ballacolla, though Colin Doheny was denied by a sharp save from David Sheeran in the Abbeyleix goal. Declan Phelan converted a free to nudge Abbeyleix two clear, but Colm Brennan and Kyle Mullen exchanged points to keep the margin tight.

Momentum shifted as Sean Corby scored 1-1 in 60 seconds to edge Clough-Ballacolla ahead for the first time since the opening minute. He won a 21-yard free, took responsibility himself, and rifled the ball past Sheeran to raise a green flag. Corby followed up with a point, leaving Abbeyleix briefly on the ropes.

To their credit, Abbeyleix steadied. Phelan added two points, one from play and one from a free, before Mullen struck his second of the afternoon. That trio of scores put them in front once more, though Doheny pointed the final effort of the half to make it 1-7 apiece at the interval. Clough-Ballacolla might have gone in ahead had it not been for a heroic goal-line clearance by Conor Dooley, who denied Gary Whelan a certain goal just before the break.

The second half began in cagey fashion, with Brennan (free) and Enda McWey trading scores, followed by further points from Mullen and Brennan. Alan McWey then edged Abbeyleix back in front with 20 minutes to play.

But from there, Clough-Ballacolla assumed full control, hitting 2-5 without reply in a devastating spell that settled the contest. Corby again played a central role, supplying the assist for TJ Hally to smash home their second goal. Brennan added a free before Doheny chipped in with a fine effort, while Hyland saw a goal chance skim over the bar rather than under it.

Hyland quickly made amends when Corby turned provider once more, setting up the full-forward to bury Clough-Ballacolla’s third goal of the game. Even goalkeeper Peter Rafter got in on the act, splitting the posts from a long-range free, with Brennan adding another placed ball to extend the lead.

Abbeyleix mustered late resistance through frees from Conor Bergin and Phelan, but the damage was long done. Duggan and Chris Rafter knocked over the final two scores to seal a deserved victory for Clough-Ballacolla.

Final Score

Clough-Ballacolla 3-16

Abbeyleix St Lazarian's 1-12

SCORERS– Clough-Ballacolla: Colm Brennan 0-6 (0-4 frees), Jim Hyland 1-2, Sean Corby 1-1 (1-0 free), TJ Hally 1-0, Chris Rafter, Colin Doheny and Eoin Duggan 0-2 each, Peter Rafter 0-1 (free). Abbeyleix: Alan McWey 1-3, Declan Phelan 0-4 (0-3 frees), Kyle Mullen 0-3, Conor Bergin (free) and Enda McWey 0-1 each.

CLOUGH-BALLACOLLA: Peter Rafter; Aaron Boyhan, Emmet Saunders, Sean Hayes; Paddy Meade, Evan Cassin, Darragh Hogan; Chris Rafter, Eoin Duggan; Jim Hyland, Colin Doheny, Colm Brennan; Gary Whelan, Sean Corby, TJ Hally. Subs: Liam Ryan for Hally (54 mins).

ABBEYLEIX ST LAZARIAN’S: David Sheeran; Conor Dooley, JJ Murphy, Michael Parlon; David Walsh, Steven Reilly, Stephen O’Donnell; Enda McWey, Ross Coffey; Kyle Mullen, Cathal Doyle, Alan McWey; Thomas Walton, Declan Phelan, Kevin Fitzpatrick. Subs: Conor Bergin for Walton (37 mins), Alan Lynch for O'Donnell (46 mins), Riain Mahony for Fitzpatrick (51 mins), Tadhg Fahey for Coffey (58 mins)

Referee: Mick Cleere (Rathdowney-Errill)