Dunne leads harps into uncharted territory

THE Harps will contest a Laois Senior Hurling Championship final for the first time in 28 years when they take on Camross at Laois Hire O’Moore Park on Sunday afternoon.

The achievement has generated enormous excitement throughout Cullohill and Durrow, but captain Padraic Dunne insists the focus remains firmly on the task ahead.

“The buzz around Cullohill and Durrow since Sunday has been brilliant, but the job isn’t finished. Camross have beaten us twice already this year, so we know the challenge that’s ahead of us. It’s up to us to get to their level,” said Dunne.

That grounded approach has been central to The Harps’ season.

“The mindset all year has been one game at a time, one week at a time and one training session at a time. We haven’t looked beyond the next challenge.”

The Harps earned their place in the final with a dramatic victory over reigning champions Clough-Ballacolla. Having built an early lead, they had to withstand a determined comeback before securing a famous injury-time win.

“There was definitely a sense of relief at the final whistle. We started well but knew Clough-Ballacolla would come back at us and they did. It took us right to the end to get over the line and maybe we got a bit of luck as well. On another day it could have been their day, but thankfully it was ours.”

The significance of reaching the final is heightened by the youth of the current squad. Remarkably, none of the players who started the semi-final had even been born the last time The Harps reached a senior final.

“It’s a very young team. No one who started on Sunday was even born when The Harps were last in a county final.

“The hurlers coming through are unbelievable and that’s down to the coaches and the work being done behind the scenes.

“The people in the club love it. They’d do anything for the players and just want to see the team grow. Hopefully, we can give something back to them now.” One of the stars of the semi-final triumph was Eoin Delaney, whose haul of 3-1 helped propel The Harps into the decider. But Dunne says the success is about far more than one individual.

“Eoin is one of a number of lads hurling brilliantly. There’s huge work being done with young players throughout the club.

“He did very well the last day, but it could be someone else the next day. We have lads not getting game time who are training really well too.

“It’s brilliant to see so many young players coming through and shining.”

The Harps have also benefited from the arrival of a new management team led by former Tipperary goalkeeper Ken Hogan. Dunne believes they have instilled a stronger mentality within the squad.

“The biggest thing they’ve brought is mentality. They’ve pushed us to go that bit further and given us belief that we can compete with the best teams.

“Maybe that’s what got us over the line on Sunday. That belief might have been missing before.

“Ken, Brian, Dylan, Conor, Noel and all the team have been excellent. It’s up to the players now to finish the job.”

While a county final is unfamiliar territory for virtually the entire panel, Dunne believes previous underage success can stand to them.

“It’s a new experience for all of us. We’ve never won a senior county final.

“But a lot of these lads have won big underage finals before. Hopefully that experience stands to them and they know they can get through these occasions.

“We’re looking forward to the challenge and we’ll do everything we can to get over the line.”

Standing in their way are Camross, the most successful club in Laois hurling history and a side that has already defeated The Harps in both the league final and championship this season.

Dunne knows exactly what his side are facing.

“We know exactly what we’re up against. Camross have already shown this year that they can beat us.

“We’ll have to go to uncharted territory to get over the line, but we’re willing to go there.”

After 28 years of waiting, The Harps have earned their place on county final day. Now they stand one game away from creating one of the most memorable moments in the club’s history.