Harps get off to good start
EASTERN HARPS 0- 17 CALRY/ ST JOSEPH’S 0- 11 ALWAYS alert and eager, workmanlike too, Eastern Harps put their indifferent league form behind them to brush aside the challenge of Calry/ St Josephs.
The sides met in this Round One Group 3 meeting of the Belfry Sligo Senior club championship played at Bunninadden’s Community Park on Sunday last.
Dominant at midfield throughout where captain Ross Donovan gave a storming display – Tony Taylor had many memorable moments too.
Harps got an early foothold in the game keeping the pressure on the Sligo town side to race into a four points to one lead with just five minutes played.
This brisk start for Harps gave them the confidence to sustain the effort right through the first half with an impressive return of nine points being registered on the board by half time to Calry’s four.
Indeed of Calry’s four only one came from play, the remaining three being superbly kicked right footed from the right wing by leading marksman Eoin Doherty.
Harps continued to impress right through the third quarter with a string of points to move nine points clear with ten minutes to go.
It looked game over at this stage however there was a slight twist in the tail.
With the exchanges becoming more robust Harps full back Kevin Cryan received his marching orders on a second yellow card giving Calry/ St Josephs a sniff of an upset.
They attacked with menace scoring three quick points however the shrewd Harps mentors moved chief fire extinguisher Ross Donovan to the full back position where he gave a marvellous defensive display in curbing the formidable threat of Calry/ St Joseph’s huge attacker Conor Griffin.
Calry did manage to whittle the margin down to four points with a few minutes left however Harps finished stronger with two points to give them a six point margin.
This was a match that ended on a sour note perhaps sparked off by some baffling refereeing decisions.
It is a decent first round win for Harps nevertheless and a win that could leave them in the quarter finals in this group of three.
The aforementioned Donovan and Taylor are largely to thank for this win but defenders Gavin Horan, Kevin Gallagher and Paul McGovern left their mark on the match also.
All of their six forwards got on the score- sheet which is always commendable with Thomas Cryan, Michael Lennon, Sean Bruen and Martin Doherty being most prominent.
Calry/ St Josephs in fairness made this a real championship encounter however with eight of their eleven points coming from frees superbly kicked off the ground by Doherty they didn’t possess the same scoring spread.
Nevertheless with the likes of ace attacker Conor Griffin, Darragh Cummins and Bryan McGovern in fine fettle and an industrious work ethic displayed they can still have a say in this senior championship. REFEREE Barry Judge.