An impressive first half display laid the foundations for this convincing victory for Eastern Harps junior team at Scarden on Saturday afternoon.A heavy shower before throw-in made conditions difficult. Harps seemed to adapt better to the slippery conditions and set the tone with some early scores. They dominated the early exchanges and Coolera/Strandhill failed to get on the scoreboard for the opening twenty minutes.Seven first half wides did’nt help their cause despite the valiant efforts of veterans Barry Doyle and Karol O’Neill.

David Sheppard opened Harps account with a point from play after taking a pass from Niall Mc Gill. A Ross Donavan pass set up Ciaran Hannon for a well taken goal. Points followed from David Sheppard,Thomas Cryan and Ciaran Hannon to leave the winners leading by seven points after a whirlwind opening quarter.A penetrating run from the reliable Ross Donavan set up Niall Mc Gill for Harps second goal before Ciaran Flynn opened Coolera/Strandhill’s account with a point from a 13m.free. David Sheppard and James Hampson exchanged points before Harps Gavin Gardiner had the final point of the half from play to leave his side 2-6 to 0-2 ahead at the interval.

Harps continued to have the better of the exchanges on the resumption.A Kevin Gallagher point from play was followed by a Niall Mc Gill point from a 13m.free. David Sheppard added another point from play before Fran Gaughan had Coolera/Strandhill’s third score of the afternoon. A clever interception by Barry Cryan set up Michael Lennon for a point from play. Ciaran Hannon increased Harps lead with a point from a 20m.free on the left wing.

A late tackle on Karol O’Neill saw Barry Doyle point a 13m.free.

The losers had late consolation scores from Gary Cawley from play and Jamie Walsh from a 13m.free to complete the scoring for Coolera/Strandhill.

David Sheppard , who had opened the scoring ,completed Harps account with a point from play to leave his side comfortably through to the county final.

They will meet Tubbercurry ,who had an equally impressive win over St.Pat’s in the other semi-final.The final is scheduled for Sat.15th Oct, with confirmation of time and venue not yet available.

Scorers: E.Harps: D.Sheppard 0-5,C.Hannon 1-2,N.Mc.Gill 1-1(0-1f.),T.Cryan,G.Gardiner, K.Gallagher and M.Lennon 0-1 each.

Coolera/Strandhill:C.Flynn 0-1(f.),J.Hampson 0-1,F.Gaughan 0-1,B.Doyle 0-1(f.),G.Cawley 0-1,J.Walsh 0-1(f.).

Team Lineout: E.Harps:J.Mc.Coy;S.Keane,F.Bruen,L.Taheny;S.Conheady,K.Gallagher,C.Mc.Govern;R.Donavan.B.Cryan;C.Hannon,M.Lennon,D.Sheppard;G.Gardiner,T.Cryan,N.Mc.Gill. Subs used:C.Higgins,B.Convey,C.Watters,K.Judge and D.Higgins.

Coolera/Strandhill: C.Scanlon;A.Kelly,B.Cawley,R.Young;D.Byrne,G.Cawley,J.Hampson;B.Doyle,M.Connell; F.Gaughan,K.O’Neill,C.Mc.Cahey;C.Flynn,J.Walsh,J.Herbert.

Subs used:F.Staunton, A.Mc.Partland, A.Lynch and R.McEnroe.

Referee: Joe Hynes.