The Harps 4-17 Clough-Ballacolla 0-16
Laois U-20 HC Semi-final
The Harps booked their place in the Laois U-20 hurling final for the fourth year in succession and will have a chance to complete a three-in-a-row in this grade after they proved too strong for Clough-Ballacolla in Ballacolla this afternoon.
The Durrow-Cullohill outfit were beaten by Abbeyleix in the 2021 final but have won the last two finals – beating Camross in the decider in 2022 and Abbeyleix 12 months ago.
Many of the same players are on board again as they booked a final place against Camross next weekend.
Cody Comerford scored 1-9 and the always dangerous Justin Duggan got 2-3 while Eoghan Murphy, Jack Kennedy, Bobby Murphy and Ciaran Flynn all put in fine performances as they pulled away in the second half to eventually record a 13-point win.
Clough-Ballacolla were minor champions two years ago – and only two of the players who togged out today were up to the age.
They gave as good as they got for a long while but two goals in a minute in the first half, from Duggan and Kennedy gave them a cushion that kept Clough-Ballacolla at arms’ length from there on.
The very impressive Kevin Hyland and Cody Comerford swapped frees early on before Justin Duggan struck for the first goal in the ninth minute and Jack Kennedy got the second a minute later.
Colm Brennan and Hyland responded with points for Clough-Ballacolla but Comerford (free), Duggan and Kennedy all hit scores for The Harps, who were able to take a 2-6 to 0-6 lead in at the break.
Hyland pulled another one back for Clough-Ballacolla early in the second half but a massive free from Eoghan Murphy from his own ’45 as well as two more from Comerford had the lead out to seven again.
Thomas Brennan and Jim Hyland did get fine points from play for Clough-Ballacolla but they needed goals and, apart from one save from Oisin Conroy, they never really looked like getting them.
Instead the scores came easier to The Harps. Duggan and Comerford each pointed from play and though Mulhall responded again, the next goal finished the game as a contest when a shot for a point from Duggan was stopped by Peter Rafter in Clough-Ballacolla but bounced down over the line. The umpires immediately signalled a goal and there was no way back from there.
Thomas Brennan and Mulhall (free) replied but Eoghan Murphy (free) and Duggan again ensured The Harps remained in control.
Comerford then struck for a fourth goal for The Harps and Mark Downey added a point.
Clough-Ballacolla battled on and were rewarded by hit four points to eat into the lead somewhat – two from Mulhall and one apiece from Evan Cassin and Colm Brennan – but Comerford closed it out with a couple more frees.
The final is pencilled in for next weekend – though it hasn’t yet been confirmed whether it will be on Friday or Saturday.
SCORERS – The Harps: Cody Comerford 1-9 (0-7 frees), Justin Duggan 2-3, Jack Kennedy 1-1, Eoghan Murphy 0-2 (both frees), Mark Downey 0-1. Clough-Ballacolla: Kevin Hyland 0-10 (seven frees, one ’65), Colm Brennan and Thomas Brennan 0-2 each, Jim Hyland and Evin Cassin 0-1 each
THE HARPS: Oisin Conroy; Will Duggan, Ciaran Flynn, Rory Dunne; Cormac Dunne, Eoghan Murphy, Bobby Murphy; Aaraon Mahon, Donal Deegan; Hugh Whelan, Cody Comerford, Jack Kennedy; Ross Deegan, Mark Downey, Justin Duggan. Subs: Liam Kirby for Mahon (46), Ned Duggan for E Murphy (50), Jack Murphy for R Deegan (54), Loughlin Curran for W Duggan (54), Conor Walsh for C Dunne (60)
CLOUGH-BALLACOLLA: Peter Rafter; Callum Murphy, Joe Pearson, Sean Hayes; Adam Waite, Cormac Hogan, Jim Hyland; Kevin Hyland, Eoin Duggan; Cian Coffey, Evan Cassin, Colm Brennan; Thomas Brennan, Gary Whelan, Liam Ryan. Subs: Adam Gorman for Ryan (43), Killian Murphy for T Brennan (injured – 46), Sean Byrne for Coffey (54)
REFEREE: Padraig Dunne (Colt)
Man of the Match – Eoghan Murphy (The Harps)
Kevin Hyland, Jim Hyland and Colm Brennan were impressive for Clough-Ballacolla while Cody Comerford, with 1-9, and Justin Duggan, with 2-3, were obviously to the fore for The Harps.
But we have opted for Eoghan Murphy, who stood out at centre-back. A quality striker of the ball, he landed two impressive long-range frees, as well as cutting out an amount of ball. Reads the game very well from centre-back and looks every inch a player that will continue to rise through up the levels.
SEE ALSO – Check out all of this weekend’s local GAA coverage here
