TUBBERCURRY  RECOVER  TO GRAB  THE  POINTS  IN  KEASH

                 Tubbercurry    1-11           Eastern Harps   0-09

2014 county champions Tubbercurry looked like a side on a mission of recovery of that status as they put in a storming second half display to pull the rug from under the challenge of Eastern Harps in this Round 7 Furey’s Coaches Division One league match played at a cold and showery Fr Kevin Brehony Park in Keash on Sunday last.

Harps started this match well hitting the front by a couple of points in the first quarter, the first of these being a booming Ross Donovan effort while Stephen Matthews got Tubbercurry off the ground with a fine pointed free from long range. For the remainder of the first half Harps continued to hold the upper hand as Tubbercurry looked a little disjointed. Nevertheless a few wides from Harps meant that the margin was just three points at half time 0-06 to 0-03 and the cross field wind would diagonally favour Tubbercurry in the second half.

An attitude change from Tubbercurry early in the second half which showed them displaying more concentration saw them level the scoreboard at six points each after ten minutes and for the following ten minutes we were treated to an absorbing contest with the points shared and the score eight points each with ten minutes left to play. Tubbercurry hit the front for the first time with a point to make it 0-09 to 0-08 and like a good jockey now appeared to be timing their run. The next score proved to be the game changing one and a nail into the coffin of Harps. Speedy Tubbercurry corner back Cathal Surlis sprinted through the heart of the Harps defence and although he momentarily looked to have lost possession still got in a good connection to fire right footed low to the Harps net. Two further Tubbercurry points and one from Harps completed the scoring leaving Tubbercurry deserving winners by a five point margin.

This Tubbercurry team has a fine quota of speed and technique and with a few prominent players to return will be a match for the best around this year. Harps did well at times but need more consistency if they are to challenge for top honours later this year.

Referee    ....    Gus Chapman.