LAOIS SHC Clough Ballacolla 2-13 Portlaoise 1-10:CLOUGH BALLACOLLA claimed their first county senior hurling title since 1918 as they defeated Portlaoise yesterday.

Two first-half goals from Laois forward Willie Hyland, along with points from Damien Bergin and Mick Dunphy, put the new champions into a commanding 2-8 to 0-5 lead at the interval.

However, Portlaoise, who have now been beaten in three successive finals, failed to meet expectations as Barry Fitzgerald and Derek Delaney all had efforts superbly saved by Danny Hanlon.

The second half continued to go in favour of Clough Ballacolla with Hyland dominating proceedings and Portlaoise’s Tommy Fitzgerald finding it tough against the Ballacolla rear guard. They grabbed a late consolation through Teddy Fennelly.

CLOUGH BALLACOLLA: D Hanlon; D McEvoy, D Maher, J Kavanagh; J A Delaney, L Broderick, C Coonan; S Hanlon, J Doyle; D Bergin (0-5, four frees), M McEvoy, T Delaney; M Dunphy (0-3), W Hyland (2-3, one free), W Dunphy (0-2). Subs: John Doyle for D McEvoy (50 mins); J Phelan for Delaney (52 mins); P McEvoy for J Doyle (55 mins); B McEvoy for W Dunphy (60 mins).

PORTLAOISE: C Clear; B Mulligan, E Browne, M Bowe; B Glynn, C Healy, D Delaney (0-3,two frees, one 65); E Whelan (0-1), K Murphy (0-1, free); T Byrne, T Fennelly (1-1), E Costello; B Fitzgerald, T Fitzgerald (0-3, frees), D O'Mahoney (0-1). Subs: T Mulligan for Byrne (half-time); R Scully for Costello, J Gleeson for O'Mahoney (both 45 mins).

Referee: John Lalor(Shanahoe).