Eastern Harps v Bunninadden Match Report

Back 11/08/2013 @ 14:37 | mainnews | Eastern Harps v Bunninadden Match Report

FLURRY  OF  LATE  POINTS  SEES  HARPS  CONQUER  BUNNINADDEN

                        Eastern  Harps   1-16             Bunninadden   1-11

Majestic displays from a few senior players allied to a run of seven points on the trot without reply in the final quarter greatly assisted Eastern Harps overcome earlier accuracy deficiencies in their defeat of neighbours Bunninadden in this close but none too exciting encounter played at Kilcoyne Park, Tubbercurry on Saturday evening last.

Eastern Harps may be missing highly influential players like Paul McGovern, Paul Taylor, Tony Taylor and Michael Doddy in this seasons championship while trying to blood in some youngsters to compensate however it was the scintillating performance of four seasoned players in particular – Paddy Grady, Ross Donovan, Thomas Cryan and Brendan Phillips that were the main dynamics of this second round Group A victory. The abrasive Paddy Grady may have played many good matches for Harps with his midfield fielding always notable but this surely was his finest hour as putting the ball high into the midfield area in this match was like kids throwing biscuits to a hungry monkey such was the determined way he attacking the ball, caught it cleanly and powered his way menacingly forward. Little behind Grady in overall effect were defenders Ross Donovan and Brendan Phillips who held their lines well while being extremely creative going forward – full forward Thomas Cryan too had a marvellous match winning ball high and low, distributing it fast and accurately while his free taking was of the highest order also, finishing the game with seven points. Others to impress for Harps were goalkeeper Stephen Heraghty, play anywhere defender Kevin Cryan, captain Kevin Gallagher and forward Niall McGill now beginning to find his 2010 form when he was the senior championships top scorer.

Bunninadden too showcased a number of wonderful players in this match as they competed so strongly with Harps for long periods. Indeed it was a remarkable performance by them given that they had not played a senior championship match for five years. They went toe to toe with Harps in the first half while winning the third quarter handsomely and going a point in front 1-10 to 1-09 after 45 minutes but a lack of experience from a few of their younger players plus a narrower panel told in the final quarter. In Vincent Frizzell at full forward they had the games top scorer with 1-06 who gave the Harps defence a torrid time throughout and vied with Paddy Grady and Thomas Cryan for the games best performer. Centre half forward Kenneth Kerins  had a brilliant third quarter, his two right wing points from distance bringing gasps from the sizeable crowd while wing back and county panellist Michael Gormley was outstanding throughout catching cleanly and swiftly moving forward to attack. Midfielder Padraig Doohan and half backs Karl Brennan and Sean Leamy can be satisfied with their contribution also. On reflection the enthusiasm and notable level of skill Bunninadden brought to this senior championship match suggests they can still leave their mark on its history given the scenario that all three group teams are still in the running for honours after their group games conclude.

Having missed a couple of good chances Harps opened the scoring on four minutes and raced into a three points to one lead before the pendulum swung Bunninaddens way as notching three points on the bounce they went ahead by one point 0-04 to 0-03 after fifteen minutes. An attacking move after seventeen minutes by defender Kevin Cryan up the right wing saw him take the ball almost to the end line where his fine accurate cross to the far post found Niall McGill who placed the ball in the net for Harps only goal. McGill tagged on another long range point before a high ball into the Harps goalmouth was expertly fielded by Vinnie Frizzell who was promptly grounded by Ross Donovan. Frizzell cooly finished the penalty to leave the half time score Harps 1-08  Bunninadden 1-05. An early second half point sent Harps four points clear before Bunninadden thundered into the game once more scoring five points without reply to go a point in front with fifteen minutes left and well poised for victory such was the quality of their current play. However their momentum suddenly disappeared in the final quarter as the shadows of evening fell and so Harps went on to notch a match winning seven points on the trot before an injury time Bunninadden point left them five points adrift at the final whistle.

TEAMS and SCORERS ... EASTERN  HARPS .. Stephen Heraghty, Patrick Gallagher, Robert Reid, Ross Donovan, Kevin Cryan, Brendan Phillips, Peter Rafferty, Paddy Grady, Kevin Gallagher, Shane Regan (0-01) John Rafferty (0-01) Daniel Flaherty (0-02) Fiachra Gorman (0-02) Thomas Cryan (0-07) Niall McGill (1-03)  Subs Brian Craig, Declan Hannon.

BUNNINADDEN ... David Flannery, Liam og Gormley, Thomas Perry, Peadar McManus, Karl Brennan, Sean Leamy, Michael Gormley (0-01) Padraig Doohan, Noel Kerins, Johnathan Hodgins, Kenneth Kerins (0-02) Kieran Gilligan (0-01)  Evan Brennan, Vincent Frizzell (1-06) Joseph Rogers (0-01)  Subs  Mark Gormley, Sean O Donnell, Conor Gormley.

Referee  ....   Pat  Kilcoyne.