Muldowney double helps The Harps claim U/15 ‘A’ hurling crown
The Harps who were crowned U/15 'A' hurling champions on Saturday in Laois Hire O'Moore Park
THE Harps are The Midlands Park Hotel Under-15 hurling champions as they put in a brilliant display against Portlaoise in Laois Hire O'Moore Park on Saturday afternoon.
They got off to a fast start scoring two goals within the first seven minutes building up a four-point lead at half time.
But Portlaoise came out firing in the second half and would level matters, but a third goal for The Harps from MJ Muldowney proved vital in the win.
Fionn Delaney started the scoring with a free, but The Harps moved the ball quickly up the field and it ended with Ben Murphy who fired it into the net Delaney who was superb for Portlaoise added another point but The Harps would respond.
Cillian Murphy hit over from play before the second goal of the game came through MJ Muldowney to give The Harps an early advantage.
Fionn Delaney was keeping Portlaoise in the game with another two points, as Cillian Murphy would respond for The Harps once again.
Both teams traded points twice before half time with Delaney and Tiernan O'Dwyer hitting over for Portlaoise while Cillian Murphy and Mj Muldowney would point for The Harps as they led 2-4 to 0-6 at the break.
Conall Lalor got the scoring underway for Portlaoise in the second period, but was cancelled out by a point from Adam Malone.
Fionn Delaney was causing all sorts of problems for The Harps and would get Portlaoise right back into the contest with a well taken goal and followed it up with a point to level the game, with his side having all the momentum.
But The Harps crucially got the next score and it was a goal from Muldowney to un do all the good work Portlaoise done at the start of the second half.
Delaney reduced the gap to one with two frees, but The Harps had a response through Taylor Mahony and Liam Ellis to maintain their lead.
The brilliant Delaney hit over another point from a free, but The Harps found another gear and scored the next three points through Cillian Murphy with two and Taylor Mahony got the other to open up a five-point lead with four minutes to go.
Michael McGrath and Fionn Delaney got two more points, but Portlaoise needed a goal to get them back in the contest, it didn't come and Liam O'Sullivan pointed for The Harps as they were crowned champions.
The Harps: MJ Muldowney 2-1, Cillian Murphy 0-5 (0-2fs), Ben Murphy 1-0, Taylor Mahony 0-2, Adam Malone, Liam Ellis and Liam O'Sullivan 0-1 each.
Portlaoise: Fionn Delaney 1-10 (0-9), Tiernan O'Dwyer, Conall Lalor and Michael McGrath 0-1 each.
: Ted Deegan; Harry Gee, Conor Campion, Ciaran Farrell; Todd Lalor, Paddy Cleary, Dylan Bowe; Liam Ellis, Liam O'Sullivan; Taylor Mahony, Cillian Murphy, Frankie Carroll; Adam Malone, MJ Muldowney, Ben Murphy.
Subs: Brian Gee for Carroll (42m), Eddie Ince for Bowe (46m), Pa Coffey for Malone (53m).
Danny Kerry; Zac Bowe, Lee McStay, David Tiwo; Ryan Fennell, Tadgh Graham, Eoghan Dunne; Luke Devaney, Fionn Delaney; Conall Lalor, Jack Reilly, Tiernan O'Dwyer; Tyler Whelan, Max Whelan, Tadgh Bohan.
Subs: Michael McGrath for Reilly (39m), Noah Clear for Bohan (50m).
Ronan Devaney (Camross)
