The Harps secure second place with victory in Ballacolla

The Harps 2-24 

Clough/Ballacolla 1-19 

The Harps had to settle for second place in Group A of the Laois Shopping Centre IHC despite an eight-point victory over Clough/Ballacolla in Ballacolla on Thursday evening.

The result left The Harps, Abbeyleix and Borris/Kilcotton all on four points after two wins and one defeat. Abbeyleix topped the group on scoring difference after their Round 1 hammering of Clough/Ballacolla left them on +14, compared to +6 for The Harps and +3 for Borris/Kilcotton.

Abbeyleix therefore progress directly to the semi-finals, while Friday evening’s results from Group B will determine the quarter-final pairings. Clough/Ballacolla, meanwhile, will contest the relegation final against the bottom team in Group B.

CJ Brennan opened the scoring after 90 seconds, but The Harps responded with three points in succession from Dan Comerford, Shane Fitzpatrick and Jimmy Whyte.

With The Harps playing with the wind, Jim Hyland operated as a sweeper for Clough/Ballacolla, while Conor Dunne saw plenty of possession in the visitors’ defence. Ciaran Hyland reduced the deficit to three points to two after seven minutes, but The Harps then hit four unanswered points through Comerford, Will Duggan, Jay Brophy and Michael Lanigan.

Shane Hyland briefly halted their momentum, but The Harps continued to dominate and soon found the net. Lanigan and Fitzpatrick added points before Comerford pounced on a loose ball and fired past Jimmy Rea.

Colin Doheny and CJ Brennan responded for the home side, but The Harps continued to find scores. Conor Brophy hit two points, with Lochlann Curran and Lanigan also on target, before Jim and Shane Hyland reduced the gap. The visitors led 1-13 to 0-7 at half-time.

Ciaran Hyland and Liam Ryan brought Clough/Ballacolla back to within seven points early in the second half, but Lanigan restored the eight-point advantage from a free.

John Doyle then gave the hosts hope when he struck first-time after Peter Walsh had batted away a high ball, but The Harps quickly responded through Conor Brophy and Fitzpatrick.

Fergal Brennan then began a strong second half spell before the game took a dramatic turn. A high ball dropping on top of Comerford and Ben Holohan saw Holohan’s hurl make contact with Comerford’s helmet, resulting in a head injury, forcing Comerford to be substituted. Referee Kieran Bowe showed Holohan a straight red for the ill-timed swing in the air.

Lanigan converted the resulting free before CJ Brennan replied for Clough/Ballacolla. Darren Maher, on for Comerford, and another Lanigan free left The Harps 1-20 to 1-12 ahead.

The teams traded scores before John A Delaney and Brennan reduced The Harps’ lead to six. Lanigan and Brennan exchanged further points, but The Harps then sealed the win with a second goal.

A Clough/Ballacolla management member was also shown a straight red card, with the resulting free brought forward to the 21-metre line. Lanigan made no mistake, finding the top corner.

Shane Hyland and Brennan added late points, with Lanigan scoring in between them to finish with 1-9 as The Harps completed an eight-point victory.

SCORERS:

The Harps: Michael Lanigan 1-9 (1-7fs), Dan Comerford 1-2, Shane Fitzpatrick and Conor Brophy 0-3 each, Jay Brophy 0-2, Lochlann Curran, Darren Maher, Jimmy Whyte, Cathal Murphy and Will Duggan 0-1 each. CLOUGH/BALLACOLLA: Fergal Brennan 0-5, CJ Brennan (0-3fs, 0-1 65) and Shane Hyland (0-1f) 0-4 each, John Doyle 1-0, Ciaran Hyland 0-2, Colin Doheny, Jim Hyland, Liam Ryan and John A Delaney (f) 0-1 each.

THE HARPS: Peter Walsh; Aaron Mahon, Conor Dunne, Eoin Hyland; Conor Brophy, Cathal Murphy, Jimmy Whyte; Shane Fitzpatrick, Will Duggan; Dan Comerford, Pat Walshe, Lochlan Curran; Michael Lanigan, Liam Dunphy, Jay Brophy.

Subs: Darren Maher for Comerford (41m), Rory Doyle for Walshe (55m).

CLOUGH/BALLACOLLA: James Rea; Brian Costigan, Darragh Hogan, Caylum Hawkes; Eanna Cleere, John A Delaney, Ben Holohan; CJ Brennan, Colin Doheny; TJ Hally, Ciaran Hyland, Fergal Brennan; Liam Ryan, Jim Hyland, Shane Hyland.

Subs: John Doyle for Hally (ht), Conor Whelan for Cleere (ht).

Referee: Kieran Bowe (Rathdowney/Errill)