ACHL DIVISION 1
RATHDOWNEY/ERRILL 1-19 THE HARPS 0-9
THREE weeks ago Rathdowney/ Errill lost by ten points to Clough/ Ballacolla but since that they have been rejuvenated and at Errill on Thursday last delivered a chilling message to all others that they are back on the title trail. They brought their tally from two games to 4-41 and on neither occasion were they at full stretch.
At half time on Thursday they held an 11 point advantage and although they faced a strong breeze on the change over they never looked in danger. The Harps were hoping to build on their best performance from a week earlier when they were denied victory by an injury time goal. However after managing just three first half points they could muster just six more on the change over.
Owen Holohan shot a first half goal for the home side and coupled with fine points by Joe Fitzpatrick, John Purcell and the Jason Phelan they led 1-6 to 0-1 after the end of the quarter.
Brian Galvin in midfield tried to stem the tide with good points but apart from himself and Michael Lanigan the visitors made little impression on the home team.
Alan Delaney and Eoin Holohan added further points and at the break the home team were ahead by 11 and that was some contrast to the sides’ meeting at the venue last year when the visitors left with 11 points to spare at full time.
Within a minute of the throw in the Harps were awarded a penalty but to sum up their day Brian Galvin’s effort was brilliantly saved by John Paul Ryan.
From the puck out Jason Phelan delivered a great point from play but Brian Galvin responded with a brace. Rathdowney/Errill hit back with three in a row, a great line ball by Shane Dollard, Joe Fitzpatrick and another from the Jason Phelan.
Liam Tynan came on a sub and fired over a great point from play and although the Harps never gave up they were well beaten long before the final whistle.
The result means Rathdowney/ Errill will play a semi-final against either Mountrath or Clough/ Ballacolla assuming they take the points from Abbeyleix in their final outing.
The Harps reached last year’s final year but then bowed out of the championship in the opening round. On Thursday they were without first choice goalkeeper, Kevin Galvin. He was present at the game but had a bigger match on his mind. Kevin got married to a Rathdowney girl on Friday.
RATHDOWNEY/ERRILL: John Paul Ryan; John Delaney, Lar Mahon, Niall Delaney; Brian Campion, Pat Mahon, Ben O’Shea; Shane Dollard (.-.), Enda Meagher; Joe Fitzpatrick (.-.), Owen Holohan (.-.), Patrick Mahon; John Purcell (.-.), Alan Delaney (.-.), Jason Phelan (..). Subs: Liam Tynan ( for Patrick Mahon (..mins), Colm Meehan for Phelan (..mins), Sean Meehan for O’Shea (..mins), Dermot Phelan for Campion (..mins).
THE HARPS: Tom Kenna; Pat Walsh, John Prior, Pat Dunne; Brian Dunne, Conor Dunne ( Shane Phelan; Ross Young, Brian Galvin (.-.); Sean Burke, Paul Dunne, Derek Phelan ( Michael Lanigan (.-.), Brian Dunne, Greg Delahunty. Subs: Justin Brophy for Delahunty (..mins), Shane Donoghue ( for Burke (..mins), Niall Brophy for Lanigan (..mins), Fintan Deegan for Paul Dunne (..mikns).
REFEREE: Liam Dunne (Ballacolla)