Rathdowney-Errill hold off The Harps to claim Junior 'C' Hurling Championship

The Junior ‘C’ hurling final took place on Friday evening in the LOETB Centre of Excellence in Portlaoise. The decider pitted Rathdowney-Errill’s fourth team against The Harps’ fourth team, which indicates the strength of depth that both clubs have considering some of the talent out on the field.

Rathdowney-Errill 2-18

The Harps 2-14

Strangely enough, both finalists met previously in the competition before reuniting again Friday evening for the big clash. On the 16th of July, The Harps hosted Rathdowney-Errill where the latter ended up running away six-point victors before topping Group A.

The Harps managed to secure second place thanks to wins over Clough-Ballacolla and Trumera. The men from Durrow and Cullohill then got the better of Clonad and Clonaslee St Manman’s to go all the way to the final.

While Rathdowney-Errill recorded resounding victories over Mountmellick and Camross to set up this rematch with The Harps. Due to the nature of their performances coming into this contest, Rathdowney-Errill went in as favourites but The Harps were not without hope.

It was closely fought for the first ten minutes. The Harps played the better hurling but Brian Bowe’s accuracy from placed balls meant Rathdowney-Errill kept them from building any sort of a lead.

However, in the twelfth minute, The Harps struck for the game’s first goal and it was richly deserved. A ball was sent out near the sideline and The Harps midfielder Tadgh O’Sullivan latched on quickly to strike home.

Despite playing against the wind for the first half, The Harps marched forwards with intent and looked to build on that opening goal. Further points from Niall Brophy, Padhraic Walsh and Damien Holohan saw them double that advantage after the first quarter.

Rathdowney-Errill had failed to match their opponents intensity for this final throughout the first half but their luck turned closer to half-time. Brian Bowe continued to chip in with points from frees before Rathdowney-Errill raised two green flags before the whistle.

The Harps could have avoided conceding the first goal had they successfully cleared their lines. However, failure to do that meant Rathdowney Errill’s Brian Meehan was on hand to bat home from close range.

A few minutes later and a long ball was sent in which saw Rathdowney-Errill wing-forward Sean Brown flick cleverly past The Harps keeper Oisin Conroy and into the net.

The Harps’ hard grafting that they had put for much of that first half felt like it had gone to waste somewhat. They did finish the first half positively, to their credit, with a couple of scores through Alan Guilfoyle and Ross Young.

Rathdowney-Errill held a 2-9 to 1-9 lead at half-time after a thoroughly entertaining first half of action. However, The Harps would have the breeze in Portlaoise for the second half, so this silverware was still all to play for.

The Harps looked to utilise that wind upon the restart, as Alan Guilfoyle fired over a couple of points straight away to get them back to within the minimum. However, Rathdowney-Errill responded in a calm and composed manner.

Brian Bowe continued to be unerring from both placed balls and from play for the remainder of the affair. The Rathdowney-Errill midfielder finished with ten points to his name and would ultimately prove the difference on the evening, along with some fortuitous first half goals.

The Harps did grab a goal back through substitute Shane Keown after a goalmouth scramble to set up a nervy finish. However, a red card for full-forward Damien Holohan after referee Colin Bailey flashed a second yellow seriously hurt The Harps’ chances.

Fittingly, it was Bowe who made sure of the win for Rathdowney-Errill late on with another well-struck free to push them four clear.