U16 Div 1 Final-Harps storm to victory

Back 12/05/2015 @ 13:50 | UnderAge | U16 Div 1 Final-Harps storm to victory

Harps storm to victory

Eastern Harps 1-10 St Molaise Gaels 1-8

Cathal Mullaney

 

Eastern Harps captured the Expert Electrical Under-16 Division One league crown in gritty fashion following a two-point defeat of St Molaise Gaels at Connolly Park, Collooney on Monday evening.

The winners will reflect on a satisfactory effort, but for St Molaise Gaels, it was a case of what might have been had they made the most of their early dominance, where they forged a six-point lead.

1-3 to 0-0 ahead after 11 minutes, St Molaise Gaels totally dominated the opening exchanges with Aaron Currid grabbing a fifth minute goal after he won a turnover in the Eastern Harps goalmouth.

Points followed from Luke Towey and the influential Dean Carroll (2), and put their side into a commanding six-point lead.

However, following these early exerts, Eastern Harps hit back with 1-6 without reply before the break to put themselves in the ascendency. Seán O’Hara’s 27th minute goal was the decisive score, with four Ciaran Hannon points also asserting their dominance in this period. Indeed, two further goal chances were thwarted by excellent saves from St Molaise Gaels goalkeeper Robbie Kelly before half-time.

The winners’ advantage was down to a single point by the midway point of the second half after St Molaise Gaels pointed through Ollie White (2), Luke Towey and Aaron Currid to counteract two scores from Ciaran Hannon and James O’Hara, but this was as close as they would get.

A frantic final quarter saw only three scores, with Hannon pointing twice in this period for Harps to ensure they would clinch the Division One crown.

Eastern Harps: Alan Davey; Tomás Taheny, Jake Stephenson, Brian O’Hanlon; Luke Taheny, Owen Dwyer, Calum Byrne; Evan Lavin (0-1), Jonathan East; Cian Higgins, Ciaran Dorian (0-1), Seán O’Connor; Seán O’Hara (1-0), James O’Hara (0-1), Ciaran Hannon (0-7, 2fs).

St Molaise Gaels: Robbie Kelly; Calum O’Domhnaill, Robbie Ryan, Brian West; Joe Owen, Conor Feighney, Josh Spellman; Dean Carroll (0-2), Seán Snee; Aaron Shaw, Keelan Carty, Darragh Kelly; Ollie White (0-2), Luke Towey (0-2, 1f), Aaron Currid (1-1). Subs: Jack Henry (0-1), Michael Gilmartin.

Referee: Gerry Higgins