Clonad are through to the Laois Shopping Centre IHC final after defeating Slieve Bloom in Rathdowney this afternoon.

David O’Brien’s side had 11 points to spare as they qualified for their first final since 2015.

Two early goals and some resolute defending gave them the platform to beat Slieve Bloom for the second time in this championship.

This game was slow to get going but once it did, it burst into life.

Slieve Bloom dominated the opening five minutes but it was Clonad who scored first in the sixth – with a goal.

With their first meaningful attack, Fionn Holland forced the ball to Dan O’Sullivan who cleverly batted it past the advancing Enda Conroy.

And the ball was in the back of the Slieve Bloom net again four minutes later.

Jack Ahern won a ball and fired it up to John Onions and he picked out PJ Daly. The latter went for a point but miss-hit his shot which dropped short onto the hurl of Enda Conroy but it slipped off and trickled over the line.

Slieve Bloom finally got going with points from Ben Shore and Enda Conroy but a free from John Onions and a point from PJ Daly made it 2-2 to 0-2 at the midpoint of the half.

Clonad added points from Onions and Cormac before half time but Slieve Bloom certainly had a the better of the exchanges.

Ben Shore and Fergal Burke contributed further points while Ciaran Conroy also hit two long range efforts.

They could have had a goal too but Martin Delaney fired wide in a one on one situation to leave it 2-4 to 0-6 at half time.

The sides traded points when play resumed but then a free from Ben Conroy followed by a clever Fergal Burke score cut the gap to two points with 42 minutes played.

But then John Onions came to the fore as he hit three points in a row to settle Clonad again.

The next significant moment came in the 50th minute when Jimmy Farrell pulled off a great save to deny Martin Delaney and then Liam Whelan made an outstanding block to keep out the rebound.

Points from Patrick O’Callaghan and Fionn Holland eased Clonad six clear and they settled it the 58th minute.

Clonad came out from defence and Barry Cormac found Ross Holmes with a long ball.

The former Slieve Bloom man centred for Jimmy Norton who flicked the ball to Fionn Holland and he planted a shot into the corner of the net.

Slieve Bloom went for goals after that but Clonad repelled them and they advance to face Mountrath in the final.

SCORERS – Clonad: John Onion 0-9 (six frees, one 65), Fionn Holland 1-2, PJ Daly 1-1, Dan O’Sullivan 1-0, Barry Cormac 0-2 (one free), Ross Holmes and Patrick O’Callaghan 0-1 each Slieve Bloom: Ben Conroy 0-5 (frees), Ciaran Conroy, Ben Shore and Fergal Burke 0-3 each

CLONAD: Jimmy Farrell; Gareth O’Brien, Jack Ahern, Liam Whelan; Charlie Hand, David O’Brien, Killian Duff; James Whelan, Barry Cormack; PJ Daly, Fionn Holland, Jimmy Norton; Ross Holmes, Daniel O’Sullivan, John Onions. Subs. Patrick O’Callaghan for Duff (38), John Noonan for Holmes (59), Jim Holland for Hand (60)

SLIEVE BLOOM: Gavin Conroy; Rory Power, Shane Farrell, Dylan Collins; Tom Delaney, Evan Power, Gearoid Lowry; Fergal Burke, Darragh Delaney; Kelvin Burke, Ben Conroy, Ben Shore; Enda Conroy, Martin Delaney, Ciaran Conroy. Subs: Jake Collins for D Collins (55)

REFEREE: Mick Cleere (Rathdowney-Errill)

While forwards often get the headlines, it was the performance of two of Clonad’s defenders that really caught the eye.

Between them, Jack Ahern and Liam Whelan cleared a mountain of ball all game. Whelan made a goal preventing block midway through the second half too so we will just go with him.