LAOIS SHC FINAL Rathdowney Errill 1-19 Portlaoise 2-15: A LATE converted free from Alan Delaney clinched Laois senior hurling honours for Rathdowney Errill as they collected their second championship since 2006 with a one-point win.
The hero proved to be the top-scorer in the game as he also bagged a second-half goal to put his side ahead by four points.
However, Portlaoise came fighting back, even though they were five points behind in the opening stage, as a goal from Tommy Fitzgerald seemed to have given the county town a chance to spoil the party.
The large attendance believed the game would go to a replay when Noel Costello sent over a late score but there was to be a late twist in the storyline as Delaney then was given a free which he sent over with effortless grace.
This defeat now means Portlaoise have been beaten in successive years as they were also defeated by Camross in last year's decider.
The champions made a bright start to the game as they registered five scores in the opening stages of the encounter.
A long-range effort from Joe Fitzpatrick got the proceedings under way but the 2006 champions were not finished as further scores were added by Delaney, Eoin Holohan and team captain John Purcell.
Portlaoise eventually found a way back into the game as Noel Costello and Barry Fitzgerald sent over scores.
Each side were hitting each other blow-for-blow as some further scores were added through Purcell, Tommy Fitzgerald and Costello.
With an injury to Dermot Costello, Portlaoise moved Cahir Healy back into defence but the Laois footballer was unable to stop Joe Fitzpatrick and Brian Campion tagging over points to leave Rathdowney Errill ahead 0-11 to 0-9 at the interval.
Goals in the second half from Tommy Fitzgerald and David O'Mahoney put the game into the melting pot midway through the encounter.
But the 2006 champions were not to be denied as Delaney held his nerve to give his side another championship win.
RATHDOWNEY ERRILL: JP Ryan; E Fitzpatrick, L Mahon, N Delaney; B Campion (0-2, two frees), P Mahon, J Fitzpatrick (0-2); S Dollard, P Mahon; L Tynan, E Meagher (0-1), E Holohan (0-2); J Phelan (0-4), A Delaney (1-5, five frees), J Purcell (0-3). Subs: L Wynne for Purcell (40 mins), A Kavanagh for P Mahon (47 mins).
PORTLAOISE: C Clear; D Murphy, S Cotter, J Phelan; B Glynn, D Costello, B Mulligan; C Healy, E Whelan (0-1); N Costello (0-7, six frees), B Fitzgerald (0-1), K Murphy (0-1); T Byrne (0-1), T Fitzgerald (1-4), D O'Mahoney (1-0). Subs: T Mulligan for D Costello (21 mins), N Fitzpatrick for Murphy (25 mins), R Scully for Whelan (48 mins).
Referee: Liam Dunne(Clough Ballacolla).
