Whelan strikes late as The Harps finally end 14-year SHC semi-final wait
Padraig Delaney (Harps) stretching to deny Dean Carey (Borris/Kilcotton) possession of the sliotar in the SHC quarter-final Photo: Denis Byrne
The Harps 2-17
THE Harps are through to the Laois Shopping Centre Senior Hurling Championship semi-final for the first time in 14 years after they held off a determined Borris/Kilcotton comeback in Sunday’s quarter-final.
Ken Hogan’s side looked set for a comfortable victory when they led by six points at half-time, but Borris/Kilcotton came charging back after the break and reduced the deficit to just one with 20 minutes remaining.
The Harps steadied themselves in the closing stages and finished the stronger, with Hugh Whelan’s injury-time goal putting the result beyond doubt in a four-point victory.
James Duggan opened the scoring inside the first minute, but Borris/Kilcotton settled and Aaron Dunphy hit two points to put them in front.
The Harps responded with three frees, with Ciaran Comerford converting twice and Eoghan Murphy adding the other. Dunphy then levelled his side’s total before The Harps moved through the gears.
Comerford, Murphy and Eoin Delaney all found the target, while Delaney was presented with a good chance to find the net. He got through on goal but his effort drifted wide of Eoin Fleming’s post.
Borris/Kilcotton threatened at the other end. Dean Carey and Kyle Abraham combined to create an opening, but Bobby Murphy was equal to Abraham’s effort. The two sides continued to trade scores, with Dunphy and Comerford exchanging frees before Stephen Dunphy cut the gap to three.
Fleming then produced a fine save to deny James Duggan. Delaney reacted quickest to the rebound and sent it over the bar. Borris/Kilcotton remained in touch before the interval, with Joe Campion hitting two and Dunphy another. However, The Harps finished the half strongly.
James Duggan and Justin Duggan both pointed before Comerford delivered a major blow with a goal from a 21-yard free. His strike flew into the top corner with only Fleming and one defender on the line, leaving The Harps 1-11 to 0-8 ahead at the break.
Borris/Kilcotton started the second half strongly. Dunphy converted two frees to reduce the gap to four, although James Duggan restored a five-point advantage with his next score.
Borris/Kilcotton then began to take control, with The Harps struggling to regain their earlier dominance as the pressure mounted in a tense second half. The visitors were suddenly under pressure, with Borris/Kilcotton asking questions and threatening to turn the game around.
Dunphy added three points, two from frees, while Campion scored before Ross Deegan and Delaney responded for The Harps.
With 15 minutes left, three points separated the teams and Borris/Kilcotton sensed an opportunity. Abraham continued to test Murphy, but the Harps goalkeeper stood firm and saved from the forward after Dunphy’s sideline ball.
Dunphy then converted his ninth free for his 11th point of the afternoon, leaving only two between the sides. The Harps responded when they needed to, with Comerford scoring twice before James Duggan produced a superb one-handed point to restore some breathing room.
Niall Coss added his only score of the game to put four between them, but Borris/Kilcotton now needed a goal to try and force extra-time.
Instead, The Harps found the net at the other end. Whelan emerged with possession after a scramble and fired past Fleming in injury-time.
Abraham finally found a way past Murphy with a late goal, but there was no time for any more action as The Harps secured their place in the semi-finals. Substitute John Brophy was sent for The Harps near the end after a second yellow card.
They will face reigning champions Clough/Ballacolla in the last four, while Rosenallis and Camross meet in the other semi-final.
The Harps: Ciaran Comerford 1-6 (1-5fs), James Duggan 0-4, Eoin Delaney 0-3, Eoghan Murphy 0-2 (0-1f), Ross Deegan and Justin Duggan 0-1 each. Borris/Kilcotton: Aaron Dunphy 0-11 (0-9fs), Joe Campion 0-3, Kyle Abraham 1-0, Stephen Dunphy and Niall Coss 0-1 each
Bobby Murphy; Eoghan Doheny, Cody Comerford, Jack Kennedy; Ciaran Flynn, Podge Delaney, Eoghan Murphy; Rian Edwards, Padraic Dunne; Ross Deegan, Ciaran Comerford, Eoin Delaney; Justin Duggan, Hugh Whelan, James Duggan.
Subs: Tony Mahony for Edwards (42m), John Brophy for Justin Duggan (48m), Mark Downey for E Delaney (55m).
Eoin Fleming; Connor Kilbane, Enda Parlon, Steven Finan; Evan Quinlan, Philip Tynan, Niall Coss; Eoin Fitzpatrick, Colm Stapleton; Jer Quinlan, Kyle Abraham, Joe Campion; Stephen Dunphy, Dean Carey, Aaron Dunphy.
Subs: Eoghain Coss for Carey (37m), Cillian O’Riordan for Parlon (Blood 39-44m), Neil Foyle for S Dunphy (57m), Cillian O’Riordan for Kilbane (62m).
Alan Doheny (Castletown)
