The Harps strike right note to win derby tussle in Laois GAA championship

The curtain raiser for the 2025 Laois Senior Hurling Championship saw neighbours Abbeyleix and The Harps do battle in Laois Hire O’Moore Park on a spectacularly sunny Friday evening, July 11.

Fresh from their ACHL Division 1 victory in June, Abbeyleix were slightly favoured coming into this contest but it was the 2024 league champions The Harps that came away with the spoils after a brilliant display to open their championship.

It was an intriguing contest between two teams that are continuing to improve and in the second half The Harps really upped the intensity to put away ‘The Fung’, with the use of their subs proving crucial as Jim O’Connor tallied 1-2 off the bench.

Ciaran Comerford, Ross Deegan and Podge Delaney all impressed in the forwards for the victors, but the winning of the game for them came from the backs with colossal performances in particular from Padraic Dunne and Ciaran Flynn throughout.

Cormac Byrne got the scoring underway with a free into the Abbeyleix end against a very slight breeze in the second minute.

The Harps replied through Michael Monahan and took the lead in the sixth minute via a long range free from Podge Delaney, who surprisingly lined out in the half-forward line and had an intriguing battle with Lawson Obulor throughout.

Scores were hard to come by in the opening stages, but Cormac Byrne ignited the contest when he hit the bottom right corner for a goal after a dazzling run by his brother Ciaran. MORE BELOW PHOTO.

Sam Quinn, Abbeyleix, breaking with Ciaran Flynn, The Harps, in pursuit. Photo: Denis Byrne

Hugh Whelan and Ciaran Flynn immediately replied to bring the sides level again with two outstanding efforts from distance, despite the pressure from the Abbeyleix backs.

Byrne and Ciaran Comerford traded frees and followed up with a further brilliant effort from play apiece.

A fantastic long ball down the field by Enda Rowland was gathered by Fionan Mahony and pointed to fire Abbeyleix 1-4 to 0-6 ahead at the water break.

Colin and Cormac Byrne pointed after the restart, either side of an effort from The Harps captain Eoghan Doheny and The Harps rallied well as they notched three in a row from Comerford and Ross Deegan to take a one-point lead.

Their lead was short lived however, as Sam Quinn struck for Abbeyleix and played a key role in Cormac Byrne's fifth point of the half.

Comerford and Rowland each launched over frees before the half-time break, and Abbeyleix led 1-9 to 0-11.

Jim O’Connor and Eoghan Murphy were introduced at half time for The Harps and they immediately brought a huge burst of energy and work rate into their forward unit, resulting in frees pointed by Delaney and Comerford.

Delaney was involved again as he rose to pluck a high ball from Ciaran Flynn, and he played Ross Deegan inside who raced in on goal and was hacked down for a goal.

A practice more traditionally associated with Abbeyleix was utilised by The Harps as Mick Lanigan journeyed up from between his posts to take the penalty and his effort was initially saved by Rowland, but such was the power in the shot it span back over the white line for a goal.

Abbeyleix responded brilliantly by scoring four of the next five points in the five minutes until the second half water break.
Ciaran and Cormac Byrne each pointed and Ciaran added his second from a very acute angle after a reply in between by the electric Deegan.

A second long-range free between the posts from Rowland made it 1-14 to 1-13 in favour of The Harps at the midway stage.
Just seconds after the restart Rowland was compromised again when Ciaran Comerford brilliantly broke down a pass in from Michael Monahan and Jim O’Connor was quickest to the punch as he deftly flicked the ball under the oncoming Rowland and into the net.

Still reeling after a second concession, Rowland replied with a free form his own 45 to put three in it, but The Harps were only getting hotter as Comerford fired over a brace after great work by Deegan and O’Connor to create the chance and O’Connor made it three on the trot to put six between them.

The sides traded a trio of points with Comerford and O’Connor on target for The Harps n reply to Cormac Byrne and Eoghan Fennelly.

Six points separated the pair approaching injury time but The Harps were forced to sweat in the dying moments as a bomb from Rowland caused great consternation in front of The Harps’ goals and the onrushing Fionan Mahony pelted the ball off the ground into the net.

It was too little too late for Abbeyleix however, as they couldn’t find a second goal to scrape a draw and The Harps secured the first victory of the 2025 Laois Senior Hurling Championship.

Final Score

THE HARPS 2-20
ABBEYEIX 2-17

SCORERS Below picture

Cormac Byrne, Abbeyleix St. Lazerians goes for a goal as Cody Comerford, The Harps looks to block Photo Denis Byrne

The Harps: Ciaran Comerford 0-11 (six frees), Jim O’Connor 1-1, Michael Lanigan 1-0 (penalty), Podge Delaney 0-2 (frees), Hugh Whelan, Ciaran Flynn, Michael Monahan, Ross Deegan, Eoghan Doheny and Rian Edwards 0-1 each. Abbeyleix: Cormac Byrne 1-8 (0-5 frees), Fionan Mahony 1-1, Enda Rowland 0-3 (frees), Ciaran Byrne 0-2, Colin Byrne, Sam Quinn and Eoghan Fennelly 0-1 each

TEAMS

THE HARPS: Michael Lanigan; Cathal Phelan, Cody Comerford, Rory Dunne; Ciaran Flynn, Padraic Dunne, Cathal Murphy; Eoghan Doheny, Conor Brophy; Hugh Whelan, Podge Delaney, Michael Monahan; Eoin Clancy, Ciaran Comerford, Ross Deegan. Subs: Jim O’Connor for Clancy (HT), Eoghan Murphy for Brophy (HT), Rian Edwards for Monahan (50), Jack Kennedy for Doheny (58), Pat Walsh for E Murphy (62)

ABBEYLEIX: Enda Rowland; Lewis Churchouse, Oisin Carroll, Ned Fitzpatrick; Lawson Obular, Jack Finlay, Liam Doyle; Fionan Mahony, Aaron Carroll; Ciaran Byrne, Colm Walsh, Cormac Byrne; Liam Kavanagh, Colin Byrne, Sam Quinn. Subs: Eoghan Fennelly for Kavanagh (42), Stephen Thompson for A Carroll (50)

REFEREE: Kieran Bowe (Rathdowney-Errill)