TOURLESTRANE THE
MASTERS IN TOP
OF THE TABLE
TIE
TOURLESTRANE 2 – 12 EASTERN
HARPS 0 - 12
Free flowing Tourlestrane showcasing
half a dozen or so county panelists proved superior to old rivals Eastern
Harps in this Round 6 Fureys coaches Division 1 League match played at sun
drenched Tourlestrane on Sunday last. Entertaining at all times, lively and inventive too it has to
be said, nevertheless this most recent
encounter lacked the bite you normally get from these rivals perhaps due to the
high temperatures, temperatures not normally seen in May. Or perhaps the
absence of intensity was due to their forthcoming championship clash later this
year with neither side too anxious to go flat out. Laying down a marker is a
term often used to describe such a scenario and if this was the case in
Tourlestrane on Sunday last then it was
the home side who laid it down and this they did using an indelible marker.
Two early
first half goals from Brian Egan and Cathal Henry gave the winners a platform
on which to boss the game, controlling the pace and at all times keeping the
visitors four and five points away from parity. To their credit Eastern Harps
did play some fine football however the winners at all times looked capable of
upping the pace and the pressure if such a situation demanded. On top at
midfield for most of the hour where Stephen Henry shone brightest of all
Tourlestrane used their two early goals to give themselves a half time cushion
of six points. Perhaps a bit wasteful in the second period when notching
several wides Tourlestrane still controlled the possession stakes to run out
winners by the same margin.
Dominated perhaps
in most sectors of the field Eastern Harps nonetheless were never totally out
of this game and indeed created by far the best goal scoring chances of the day,
none of which were converted. From four created it would be at least two
finished on a normal day out, but the Tourlestrane defence proved highly
vigilant getting in some last ditch blocks on several occasions while
goalkeeper Padraig McVeigh was in spectacular form between the posts. Football
fans in the county can look forward to this summers championship clash between
these two rural rivals and on this showing the likes of, always on the move
Noel Gaughan , rock steady Adrian McIntyre , high fielding Stephen Henry and
crafty forwards Brian Egan and Cathal Henry will command a fair bit of the pre
planning from Shane King and his cabinet of wise men from the east. On the
evidence of this Round 6 tie that towering performer Ross Donovan, fit and
pacey Kevin Gallagher, creative Tony Taylor and unlucky finishers Sean Bruen
and Martin Doherty will take up some thinking time from the decorated and medal
laden Tourlestrane advisory team of
Eamon O Hara and Gerry McGowan.
Referee John
Gilmartin.