GAA league continues
PRECIOUS league points were at stake in this Div. 1 Rd. 6 fixture in the Fr.Kevin Brehony Memorial Park, Keash on Sunday. Both sides were evenly matched on the scoreboard for much of the game. Two Harps goals in the final quarter proved decisive as the 2017 Co.finalists picked up two vital points.
The winners led by 1-5 to 0-5 at the interval with both sides guilty of some wayward shooting. Martin Doherty opened the Harps account with a goal and a point in the early exchanges. Drumcliffe/Rosses Pt. replied with a point from play from Niall Canning and two pointed frees from Paul Logan.
Shane O’Grady gave Harps the lead again with a point from a 13m.free after a foul on Sean Bruen. Paul Logan converted a difficult 40m. free from the sideline and added another free from distance to keep his side very much in touch.
A Tony Taylor delivery to the square allowed Shane O’Grady to point from play.
Kevin Cryan added another point to Harps’ tally and his subsequent turnover set up Shaun O’Hara for the closing score of the first half. The visitors opened their second half account in positive fashion.
Points from Jamie Gillen and two from Paul Logan;one a 30m free brought the sides level after nine minutes.
Shane O’Grady again pushed Harps ahead when he pointed a 20m.free.
The winner hit a dominant, purple patch entering the final quarter with two goals inside five minutes.
Sean Bruen applied the finish after Tony Taylor launched a high ball forward. This goal was quickly followed by a Shane O’Grady 20m.free.The second Harps goal was finished soccer style by the impressive Shaun O’Hara to leave Harps with a 3-7 to 0-8 advantage.
Drumcliffe/Rosses Point never gave up and were rewarded with points from play by substitute David Collins and Dara Long to leave the final score 3-7 to 0-10 in favour of the home side who withstood heavy pressure before the final whistle as the visitors drove forward with purpose. For Harps Alan Davey was solid in goals while the hardworking defence coped well under pressure. Both midfield pairings had their moments. The Harps attack had good displays from Sean Bruen,Thomas Cryan,Shane O’Grady and college star Shaun O’Hara. Drumcliffe /Rosses Point played with great spirit throughout and were well served by John McGowan,Dara Long and Jamie Gillen in defence,Brian Óg Murphy at midfield and Niall Canning, Paul Logan and John Hester in attack.
Scorers: E.Harps: S.O’Grady 0-4(03f.), M.Doherty 1-1,S.O’Hara 1-1,S.Bruen 1-0,K.Cryan 0-1.
Drumcliffe/R.Pt.:P.Logan 0-6 (0-5f.),N. Canning,J.Gillen,D.Collins and D.Long 0-1 each.
EASTERN HARPS: A.Davey;D.Madden,R. Reid,B.Cryan;K.Cryan,E.Dwyer.K.Gallagher;E. Lavin,T.Taylor,S.O’Hara,T.Cryan,C.Higgins;S. Bruen,S.O’Grady,M.Doherty. Subs.used:C. Coyle,J.O’Hara,G.Horan.
Drumcliffe/ROSSES POINT: J.Lyons; T.Finnegan,J.Mc Gowan,A.Mc Cormack;J.Mc Garry,D. Long,J.Gillen;B.Monaghan,B.Og Murphy;S. Regan,N.Canning,H.Kisby; P.Logan,J.Hester,K.Davey. Subs used:R.McCormack,D. Collins,O.O’Reilly, N.Colleary.
REFEREE: Barry Judge (Castleconnor).