Junior Hurling Championship

Second Round v Castleblayney

11/08/2020

Following an opening round win over Clontibret and a postponed fixture our senior team travelled to Concra to face Castleblayney. In what were ideal weather conditions, the lads made a slow start to the game with Castleblayney’s forwards providing sharp movement and strong running. The Harps defence had some nervy moments from the outset with Seamus McLoughlin pulling off a great save to deny Castleblayney an early goal. Cillian Sherry got us off the mark with a point and Cathal Power opened his tally with a tricky free near the far sideline. Our own forwards began to get a foothold in the game with some strong running from Aidan Burns rewarding us with another score. Cathal Power began to cause problems for the Castleblayney half back line and he set up Conor Flynn for an attempt at a long-distance point which went narrowly wide. At the other end of the pitch, our defence began to settle into the game with several balls cleared efficiently by Dylan McAree and Dermot McMahon. The Harps were dealt a blow immediately after the first water break when a puckout spilled loose for a Castleblayney half forward to make a run at goal which was laid off for an easy finish at goal. The Harps maintained their composure with Conor Flynn pointing from long-distance and a point a piece from Sherry and Burns. At half time we found ourselves two points down on a scoreline of 1-07 to 0-08. 

The Harps began the second half much stronger following some tactical changes by the management team. These changes paid dividends when Cillian Sherry sent a low drive to the corner of the net. The Harps defence began to perform as a much tighter unit with Gavin Baxter as anchor at centre back and John Lowry sweeping up any loose ball between the lines. This provided the foundation for Brendan McQuaid and Conor Flynn to dominate the midfield battle. The Castleblayney defence were beginning to chase shadows as Burns, Remy McKenna and Ruairí Forde started to provide sharp movement and good interplay. Cathal Power took advantage of some tired fouls by Castleblayney with three excellent frees. As the referee called for the second half water break the Harps were well on top with a superbly taken goal from McKenna and a wonder point from Burns being the highlights. Following the water break, the Harps continued this dominant spell with a bit of perseverance by Forde and Power in the corner leading to a ball across the face of the goal which was tapped to the net by Sherry. The Harps defence held strong with some excellent clearances by John Treanor, Anthony Greenan and Conor Forde giving the Harps keeper, Seamus McLoughlin, a quiet second half. Brendan McQuaid and Aidan Burns tagged on a few late points in response to a few Castleblayney scores. 

Our senior team now have one foot in the Junior championship final with their last group fixture against Latton still to be played next week.

Team & Scorers: Seamus McLoughlin, Dylan McAree, Dermot McMahon, John Lowry, Conor Forde, Conor Flynn (0-02), John Treanor, Gavin Baxter, Brendan McQuaid (0-01), Nathan O’ Donoghue, Aidan Burns (0-06), Cathal Power (0-04, 3 frees), Ruairí Forde, Alan Lee, Cillian Sherry (2-01).

Subs Used: Anthony Greenan, Remy McKenna (1-00), Ray Lee, Adam Cullen, Shane McCabe.