Clough/Ballacolla qualified for their first under 21 hurling final since 1981 when they defeated Kilcotton/Borris on the bizarre scoreline of 1-2 to 0-2 at Rathdowney on Saturday, February 12. In this last final appearance, Clough/Ballacolla succumbed to Portlaoise after a replay and on the evidence of this performance, will need to improve greatly if they are to make amends for that disappointment. The winners led by 0-2 to 0-0 at the interval with Shane Hanlon and John Delaney both getting on the score sheet. However, they would have trailed had John Kavanagh's piledriver not rebounded off the crossbar. Early in the second half, Enda Power opened Borris' account but they were rocked back on their heels when Hanlon scored the game's only goal midway through the half. A Ciaran Comerford free in the 55th minute left a goal between the sides, but that was to be the last score as Ballacolla repeated their minor semi-final victory over their neighbours. Tweet

Most Read Stories