Home News Community In Pictures: All smiles as Ballyroan-Abbey and Abbeyleix celebrate incredible 2020 minor...

In Pictures: All smiles as Ballyroan-Abbey and Abbeyleix celebrate incredible 2020 minor double success

There was serious style in the Abbeyleix Manor Hotel at the weekend as a group of teenagers finally got to celebrate their unprecedented success.

In 2020, Abbeyleix and Ballyroan-Abbey did a unique double by claiming both the minor hurling and football titles.

In the football, Ballyroan-Abbey defeated Portlaoise to claim the cup two years ago.

Ballyroan-Abbey were going for their second title in three years at the time after ending a 47 year wait for minor glory in 2018.

They lost the 2019 decider to Emo-Courtwood but they finished this game like a train to win 2-9 to 0-6 in the end. 

That was in September 2020 and one month later, many of the same players were involved in the hurling final against The Harps.

A game that was largely low scoring, caught fire towards the end of the second half and Abbeyleix continued at that pace into extra time to win by six in the end.

It was harsh on The Harps who, competing in their third straight decider at the time, battled really well for the majority of the game and probably thought they had it won as they led by a point heading towards full time.

But Shaun Fitzpatrick sent the game to extra time with a score from 60 yards and once there, Abbeyleix kicked on to win.

The Covid-19 pandemic prevented a celebration from taking place in 2021 but that was finally completed last weekend.

Former Waterford manager Derek McGrath and current Laois minor manager Declan Qualter presented the Abbeyleix medals.

While former Laois footballers Padraig McMahon and Liam Irwin presented the Ballyroan-Abbey medals.

Each player also received a framed team photo and the jersey that they wore in the final.

Photographer Dinny Tierney was present on Saturday evening and he captured some great images.

Check them out below:

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