Match Report-JAFC Eastern Harps v Owenmore Gaels

Back 24/09/2018 @ 10:03 | mainnews | Match Report-JAFC Eastern Harps v Owenmore Gaels

Lola Montez Junior A Football Championship  Semi-Final.

Owenmore Gaels Qualify for Co.Final.      Report by Padraic Duffy.

Owenmore Gaels 2-12      Eastern Harps 1-8.

Owenmore Gaels secured their ticket to the Lola Montez Junior A football championship final with a comfortable victory over Eastern Harp’s second team in Bunninadden Community Park on Saturday evening. They will take on Easkey in the final on the weekend of Oct.6th/7th.

The winners led from the early stages through the persistence of Colin Smith who pointed from play and proved his accuracy throughout with some fine free taking. Ml.Lennon equalised from play as both sides strove for supremacy.

Colin Smith restored the winners advantage but again Ml. Lennon equalised; this time from a 13m. free after David Sheppard was fouled.

Brian Mahon was gifted a turnover and pointed while his Gaels colleague, Art Nicholson picked up a rebound to point from play.

Harps reduced the deficit to the minimum when Fiachra Gorman pointed a 45 and Shane Gallagher converted a 13m. free. A low scoring first half concluded with Owenmore Gaels ahead by 0-5 to 0-4.

On the resumption, Jack Foley pointed from play to give his side a two points advantage. This was quickly cancelled out by points from Ronan Mulligan and David Sheppard. Harps jumped into the lead when Shane Gallagher picked up a break from Fiachra Gorman and finished to the net. Harps now led by three points and Owenmore Gaels  realised they were in a contest. They almost got on level terms immediately, but Harp’s veteran goalkeeper Kenny Phillips produced an outstanding save. Brian Mahon pointed from play and followed with a well taken goal after taking a pass from Colin Smith. The winners increased their advantage with points from Jack Foley and Ryan Phillips.

Ml. Lennon reduced the Owenmore Gaels lead with a point from a 13m.free, but this was quickly cancelled by a similar effort from Colin Smith after the free was moved forward for dissent.

Fiachra Gorman pointed a 40m. free to complete the Harps tally. The winners finished strongly. The elusive Peter Wynne, who was influential throughout, finished to the Harps net and substitute Adrian Egan pointed a 20m.free to leave seven points between the sides.

Owenmore Gaels will be pleased to have come through the semi-final but will be aware that a stern test awaits them in the final v Easkey. They showed commendable spirit and the ability to raise their game and push on when Harps  took the lead in the second half. Harps, too, played with great commitment and many of their young players can look forward to a bright future.

Scorers : O. Gaels: C.Smith 0-5 (0-4f.),B.Mahon 1-2,P.Wynne 1-0,J.Foley 0-2,A.Nicholson,R.Phillips & A.Egan 0-1 each.

E.Harps :S.Gallagher 1-1(0-1f.), M.Lennon 0-3 (0-2f.),F.Gorman 0-2 (0-1 45,0-1f.),R.Mulligan& D.Sheppard 0-1 each.

Lineout: O.Gaels: J.Farrell;G.Lavin,P.Murphy,P.Wynne;B.Mahon,C.Whiteside,J.Foley;T.Trill,J.Duffy;R.Anderson,C.Smith,C.Davey;R.Phillips,A.Nicholson,R.Sweeney.

Subs used:G.Anderson,K.Taheny,K.Healy,A.Egan,N.Hodgins.

E.Harps: K.Phillips; C.Coyle,K.Judge,C.Mc Govern;J.Soden,J.Mc Loughlin,J.East;M.Meehan,B.Convey;K.Meehan,T.Murray,R.Mulligan;M.Lennon,S.Gallagher,F.Gorman. 

Subs used:P.Pilkington,J.Lynch,C.Hannon,G.Garvey,E.Meehan.

Referee:  P.Normanly(Tourlestrane).