The Harps power past Castletown to tee up Minor county final clash against Abbeyleix

Eoghan Murphy was the star of the show as The Harps dispatched of Castletown on Saturday afternoon in Durrow. Two goals from Eoin Delaney and a third from Ross Deegan helped The Harps to a surprisingly one-sided semi-final victory.

The Durrow men came into the game as favourites, having won when the sides met in the round robin in early August. That was a far closer affair than this, however, with The Harps looking far superior from early on.

The home side opened a big lead inside the opening quarter, which really set the tone for the rest of the tie. It was 0-2 apiece after the first ten minutes, but The Harps ran riot thereafter, landing six points without reply in just four minutes.

Castletown stopped the rot when Callum Peters opened his account, but The Harps replied immediately with a great goal. Ross Deegan found Eoin Delaney in space, who blasted his shot into the back of the neck.

Delaney got his second goal seven minutes later with an audacious dink over Castletown goalkeeper, Odhrán Cuddy. Cuddy went off injured moments later, replaced by Tadgh Dalton, with Ciaran Lyons taking over between the sticks.

The hosts added a further three scores to lead by 2-11 to 0-3 at half time.

Abbeyleix St Lazarian’s secure first senior final appearance since 1949

The Harps' half-back line dominated the first half, and kept it going after the restart, as their side gradually stretched their lead. They added five points to Castletown's one in the first ten minutes of the half. Eoghan Murphy's frees kept the scoreboard ticking over as The Harps led by 19 points after 45 minutes.

Murphy had a phenomenal game from centre back, scoring a match-winning 11 points. He was incredibly accurate from distance, scoring nine frees, most struck from around halfway.

He had a chance for a goal just before half time when The Harps were awarded a penalty, but considering the lead he went for the safety of a point. Murphy looks an amazing player with an incredible future.

Castletown raised a green flag in the 47th minute when a great ball in from Tom Og Phelan was inadvertently turned into his own net by Cormac Dunne. But straight from the puck-out, The Harps responded with a goal of their own when Mark Downey ran through before laying it off to Ross Deegan who made no mistake.

The Harps added another three scores before the end, as they ran out comfortable winners.

They will now face an Abbeyleix side in the final, who won five out of five in the round robin. Abbeyleix won by just a single point when the sides met previously, so the final could certainly go either way.

This year, the minor final will serve as the curtain raiser to the Senior Hurling Championship decider. Abbeyleix and The Harps will take to the field on Sunday, October 8, with throw-in for the game scheduled for 1.45pm in O’Moore Park.