Laois SHC final/Portlaoise 2-8 Castletown 0-7: Beaten in last year's Laois final Portlaoise gained revenge on county champions Castletown who were hoping to become the first team to claim six in a row.
The champions looked sharp in the opening quarter in Portlaoise when they led 0-4 to 0-2. Portlaoise hit back and points from Noel Costello and Niall Rigney narrowed the gap to one point. Then a goal from Costello just before the interval saw the home side lead 1-5 to 0-6.
On the change-over, Portlaoise took control. An early point by Tom Fitzgerald was replied to by Pat Phelan for Castletown; but the champions failed to score again. Costello crashed home his side's second goal 10 minutes into the half. Castletown finished with 14 players.
PORTLAOISE: J Hanniffy; B Mulligan, C Duggan, C Healy; T Mulligan, D Costello, C Clear; J Phelan, N Rigney (0-1); O Browne, E Fennelly (0-1), B McCormack (0-2); T Fitzgerald (0-1), B Fitzgerald, N Costello (2-3).
CASTLETOWN: J Lyons; M Phelan, R Delaney, T Phelan; D Keenan, Paul Cuddy, C Cuddy; J Palmer, J O'Sullivan; F O'Sullivan, D Cuddy (0-1), J Kingston; Pat Phelan (0-5), Pat Cuddy, J Hooban (0-1). Subs: J Delaney for Palmer; B Ferns for T Phelan; P Mullaney for Pat Cuddy; T Dooley for F O'Sullivan.
Referee: A Stapleton (Rathdowney).
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