Rathdowney-Errill 0-17

Borris-Kilcotton 1-9

County star Mark Kavanagh led the way as Rathdowney-Errill claimed their first Laois SHC title since 2014 at O'Moore Park this afternoon.

John Delaney's charges put the disappointment of losing last year's decider firmly behind them with the accurate Kavanagh notching eleven points from placed balls over the hour.

It was opponents Borris-Kilcotton who started the brightest and raced into an early 0-3 to 0-0 lead while Rathdowney-Errill had to wait until the 15th minute for their opening score from Kavanagh.

Further scores from Kavanagh, King (2) and Tadhg Dowling (1) saw Rathdowney-Errill 0-6 to 0-5 in front at the break with the wind advantage to come in the second half.

Then the winners made their move by registering the next five points to lead by six approaching the third-quarter mark, 0-11 to 0-5.

Borris-Kilcotton sparked into life with a goal from Aaron Dunphy followed by points from PJ Scully and Neil Foyle to put one between the sides.

Crucially, goalkeeper Damian Madden pulled off a fantastic save to deny Dunphy a second major.

Rathdowney-Errill steadied themselves up and a flurry of four points helped them run out comfortable winners in the end.

Rathdowney-Errill - D Madden; J Corrigan, B Campion, J Purcell; J Fitzpatrick, J Kelly, E Killeen; P Purcell, J Keane; T Dowling (0-1), S Dollard, J Ryan; M Kavanagh (0-11, 10f, 1'65), R King (0-5), P McCane. Subs: B McGinley for T Dowling, E Bourke for S Dollard.

Borris-Kilcotton - E Fleming; D Fitzpatrick (0-1), S Phelan, S Finan; J Fitzpatrick, M Whelan, P Whelan; C Kilbane, C Stapleton; D Quinlan, N Foyle (0-2), A Dunphy (1-0); S Dunphy, J Campion (0-1), PJ Scully (0-5, 4f). Subs: E Jones for S Dunphy, D Carey for D Quinlan.

Referee - A Doheny.

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