Harps power past Rathdowney/Errill with dominant second-half display

The Harps 2-10 

Rathdowney/Errill 0-9 

The Harps reignited their league campaign with a commanding second-half performance to see off Rathdowney/Errill by seven points and secure a second successive victory.

Having endured a sluggish start to the season, the hosts are now gathering momentum at a crucial stage. Following last weekend’s win over Borris-Kilcotton, this result puts them firmly back in contention for a semi-final place as the league table begins to take shape.

Rathdowney/Errill, who had opened with three straight victories, have now suffered back-to-back defeats. Their cause has not been helped by a growing injury list, with Liam O’Connell, Dylan Carroll and Mark Kavanagh all sidelined.

Played in difficult conditions, the contest was a low-scoring affair early on. Rathdowney/Errill adapted better in the opening period and led 0-7 to 0-3 at the break. Thep Fitzpatrick was the chief contributor, while Paddy Purcell, James Ryan and Micheál Cleary also found their range. Ciarán Comerford, largely through placed balls, accounted for all of The Harps’ first-half scores to keep his side within reach.

However, the game shifted decisively after the interval. Rathdowney/Errill struggled to replicate their first-half fluency and managed just two additional points over the remainder of the contest, from Fitzpatrick and Eoin Bourke.

The Harps, by contrast, took full control. Goals from James Duggan and Eoin Delaney proved pivotal, swinging momentum firmly in their favour. With Comerford continuing to punish indiscipline from frees, and further points from Duggan, Ross Deegan and Eoghan Doheny, the hosts surged clear to seal a convincing win.

SCORERS:

The Harps: Ciaran Comerford 0-6 (0-5fs), James Duggan 1-1, Eoin Delaney 1-0, Ross Deegan 0-2, Eoghan Doheny 0-1.

Rathdowney/Errill: Thep Fitzpatrick 0-5 (fs), Eoin Bracken, Paddy Purcell, Micheal Cleary and James Ryan 0-1 each.

THE HARPS: Peter Walsh; Rory Dunne, Ciaran Flynn, Eoghan Doheny; Donal Deegan, Padraic Dunne, Hugh Whelan; Tiarnach Doheny, Jack Kennedy; James Duggan, Ciaran Comerford, Tony Mahony; Eoin Delaney, Ross Deegan, Liam Kirby.

RATHDOWNEY/ERRILL: Ben Campion; Daithi Poynton, Kevin O’Dea, Shane Madden; Shane Bracken, Padraig Rafter, Declan McGrath; Paddy Purcell, Thep Fitzpatrick; James Ryan, Eoin Bourke, Micheal Cleary; Ray Bowe, Paddy Hassett, Eoin Bracken.

Referee: Alan Doheny (Castletown)