Dominant first-half show ensures Tubber victory
TUBBERCURRY topped their group in the Belfry senior football championship with a comfortable 1-17 to 1-9 victory over Eastern Harps in windswept Bunninadden on Sunday. They adapted better to the difficult underfoot conditions and made good use of wind advantage in the opening half.
They had three points on the board, two coming from Steven Kilcoyne and a David Kelly free before Harps captain, Martin Doherty opened his side’s account on 14 minutes. Things got worse for the Harps moments later when full back Barry Cryan was shown a red card for his involvement in an off the ball incident.
As Tubbercurry took control, their star first half player, Brian Morahan scored four points on the trot, while Harps replied with a Shane O’Grady pointed free and a Declan Hannon point.
Further points from Luke Gilmartin, Brian Curran, another from Brian Morahan was followed by a goal from Kilcoyne, created by a Luke Gilmartin pass, after the Harps defence failed to clear. A David Kelly point left the half –time score 1-12 to 0-3 in favour of the victors.
Now wind assisted, Harps began the second half with greater purpose. Declan Hannon finished to the Tubbercurry net after good work from Shane O’Grady. Moments later O’Grady saw his goalbound effort clip the crossbar for a point. It was Harps’ turn to dominate as points from Kevin Gallagher, Ml. Lennon (free), and Martin Doherty reduced the Tubbercurry lead to five points, while the winners had failed to score against the very strong wind.
County star David Kelly pointed twice from play while Ml. Lennon kept Harps in touch with a pointed 30 m. free.
Tubbercurry finished the stronger with points from Gerard Perry, David Kelly and Darragh Kilcoyne while Harps sole reward for some enterprising play was a Shane O’Grady pointed free. Both sides, who now move on to the knock-out stages, are to be commended for their valiant efforts in very difficult conditions.
Tubbercurry were best served on the day by Cathal Surlis, James Kelly and Brian Curran in defence, Stephen Gilmartin and Fabio Cretero at midfield and Brian Morahan, David Kelly and Steven Kilcoyne in attack.
Harps had good performances from Mike O’Grady, Ross Donovan, Ml. Clarke and Kevin Gallagher in defence, Tony Taylor at midfield and Martin Doherty, Declan Hannon and Shane O’Grady in attack.
Scorers: Tubbercurry :B. Morahan 0-5, S. Kilcoyne 1-3, D. Kelly 0-5, L. Gil martin, B. Curran, G. Perry, D. Kilcoyne 0-1 each.
E. Harps: D. Hannon 1-1, S. O’Grady 0-3,M. Lennon 0-2, M. Doherty 0-2, K. Gallagher 0-1.
Tubbercurry: C. Mc Gee; E. Coleman, E. Mc Guinness, C. Surlis; J. Kelly, B. Curran (C.) R. Ryan; S. Gilmartin, F. Cretero, B. Morahan, L. Gilmartin, C. Gilmartin;
S. Kilcoyne, D. Walsh, D. Kelly. Subs used: G. Perry, D. Kilcoyne and D. Brennan.
Eastern Harps :M. O’Grady; R. Donavan, B. Cryan, D. Madden; M. Clarke,K.Cryan,K. Gallagher; T. Taylor, C. Mc Gill; E. Lavin, S. O’ Grady, G. Horan, D. Hannon T. Cryan, M. Doherty (C.). Subs used: M.Lennon,J.O’Hara and C. Higgins.
Referee: C. Conway.