The Harps’ young guns propel them past Clough/Ballacolla into Division 1 final
Eoin Delaney and Justin Duggan were to the fore with the pair combining for 2-8 from play
The victors made the short trip to Ballacolla for the semi-final in a rich vein of form, having won three of their final four group fixtures to sneak into fourth spot, having picked up just a single point from their opening three fixtures.
It has been a huge turnaround by Ken Hogan's men once they were able to welcome back some of their younger panel members from intercounty duty and it was two of their upcoming men that did most of the damage with Eoin Delaney and Justin Duggan combining for 2-8 from play.
Clough/Ballacolla haven't featured regularly in the latter stages of the league in recent campaigns, but blazed their way through this year by finishing top of Division 1 by winning five of their seven games.
While The Harps welcomed Podge Delaney, Padraic Dunne and Cody Comerford back into the fold after their own intercounty duties, Clough/Ballacolla remained without Picky Maher, Lee Cleere, Cillian Dunne and Joseph Pearson, while Jordan Walshe was also a notable omission from the county champions. Three first half goals from The Harps ultimately proved to be the difference between the sides as Clough/Ballacolla were forced to spend the game chasing after going behind very early on.
The Harps struck six of the first eight points with Ciaran Comerford, Justin Dugaan, Mark Downey and Podge Delaney all on target in reply to Robbie Phelan and Mark Hennessy. There was a slight breeze favouring The Harps in the first half, but Clough/Ballacolla couldn't use it as an excuse for the opening goal when Ross Deegan hassled high up the field to create a chance for Justin Duggan to rattle the net in the tenth minute.
Clough/Ballacolla replied well initially with three scores in a row from Stephen Bergin with Aidan Corby playing a huge role in each, but they were caught out again in the sixteenth minute from a puckout that made its way down to Eoin Delaney who finished into the net. Bergin and Joe Corby tried to rally the hosts again with scores, but it took just five minutes for a third green flag to be raised when Padraic Dunne fired a perfect pass up the field to James Duggan, who did well to win it in the air and smash it past Cathal Dunne.
Willie Dunphy struck back with a point he kicked over the bar and Clough/Ballacolla were beginning to edge closer with points from Colm Brennan, Bergin and Evan Cassin reducing the gap to five points. The Harps upped the tempo again before half-time, however, with Eoin Delaney, Mark Downey and Podge Delaney combining for four points to make it 3-11 to 0-11 at the break.
Ciaran Comerford and Padraic Dunne opened the second half with scores to increase the gap before Clough/Ballacolla came roaring back into contention. They struck five points in succession by the 40th minute to bring the gap back to a goal with John Coonan, Bergin and Hennessy all striking one each while Joe Corby banged over an excellent brace of scores.
The pair continued to trade scores with Comerford and Delaney on target in reply to two from Bergin. Clough/Ballacolla had a guilt-edged chance at a goal go awry when Stephen Bergin was hauled down for a penalty, but his attempt was thwarted by Bobby Murphy. The Harps regrouped again with points from Delaney, Comerford and a lovely score from Justin Duggan.
Bergin fired over another brace of frees, while Joe Corby and Aidan Corby both struck fine scores from play, but they couldn't get within touching distance of their neighbours, who saw out the win well with scores from Comerford, James Duggan and Shane Fitzpatrick.
FINAL SCORE
The Harps 3-22
Clough/Ballacolla 0-24
SCORERS – The Harps: Eoin Delaney 1-5, Justin Duggan 1-3, Ciaran Comerford 0-6 (four frees), James Duggan 1-1, Mark Downey 0-3, Podge Delaney 0-2, Padraic Dunne and Shane Fitzpatrick 0-1 each. Clough/Ballacolla: Stephen Bergin 0-12 (eight frees, two 65), Joe Corby 0-4, Mark Hennessy 0-3, Willie Dunphy, John Coonan, Aidan Corby, Evan Cassin and Robbie Phelan 0-1 each.
CLOUGH/BALLACOLLA: Cathal Dunne; Brian Corby, Diarmaid Conway, Cormac Hogan; Evan Cassin, Ronan Broderick, Robbie Phelan; Padraigh Brennan, Aidan Corby; Colm Brennan, Joe Corby, John Coonan; Stephen Bergin, Willie Dunphy, Mark Hennessy. Subs: Kevin Mulhall for P Brennan (ht), Kevin Hyland for Coonan (49 mins), Emmet Saunders for Phelan (57 mins).
THE HARPS: Bobby Murphy; Donal Deegan, Conor Dunne, Cody Comerford; Eoghan Doheny, Padraic Dunne, Podge Delaney; Rian Edwards, Jack Kennedy; Eoin Delaney, Ciaran Comerford, Ross Deegan; Justin Duggan, James Duggan, Mark Downey. Subs: Michael Monahan for Downey (ht), John Brophy for R Deegan (52 mins), Shane Fitzpatrick for D Deegan (56 mins), Liam Kirby for Edwards (58 mins).
REFEREE: Patrick Phelan (Castletown)