Connacht Clubs – Eastern Harps v Glencar Manor
Veteran marksman Paul Taylor showcased his enduring quality when illuminating Eastern Harps 10-point victory over Glencar-Manorhamilton in yesterdays one-sided clash at Markievicz Park.
Taylor scored 1-6 — all seven scores coming in the opening half — and his well-finished goal, from Danny OGradys pass, capped a brilliant first-half performance by the Sligo champions that saw them lead 1-9 to 1-2 at the break.
The winners, whose reward is a meeting with Mayos Ballaghaderreen next month, were given an early score when their opponents struck for 1-1 in the opening two minutes.
Pat Hickeys decisive flick of a breaking ball in the goalmouth for a somewhat fortuitous goal and Dominic Kellys excellent point from a sideline kick provided Glencar-Manor with an early platform — which they failed to build on.
Inspired
Eastern Harps, inspired by Taylor, Ross Donovan, John Rafferty and Danny OGrady, landed the next four points and although James Glancys 23rd-minute free put the visitors back in front, 1-2 to 0-4, this lead was short-lived as the winners notched 1-5 without reply over the next 10 minutes.
Glencar-Manor did raise their game for the first 15 minutes of the second-half and scored three points — but what they needed were goals.
Adrian Croal and substitute Alan Sweeney did get shots on target but Ross Donovan, Eastern Harps excellent full-back, made a couple of telling blocks.
After their lead was trimmed to five points, 1-10 to 1-5, Eastern Harps moved through the gears once again — keeping their opponents scoreless for the last 15 minutes and adding a further five points, the standout scores coming from Danny OGrady and midfielder Tony Taylor, younger brother of match-winner Paul.
scorers — Eastern Harps: P Taylor 1-6 (1f), D OGrady 0-4, T Taylor 0-2, J Rafferty, T Cryan, R Hannon (1f) 0-1 each. Glencar-Manorhamilton: P Gilmartin 1-0, D Kelly 0-2 (1sl), G Hickey (1f), J Glancy (1f), A Sweeney 0-1each.
Eastern Harps — B McHugh; K Cryan, R Donovan, S King; P McGovern, B Phillips, K Gallagher; T Taylor, P Grady; M Doddy, J Rafferty, T Cryan; R Hannon, P Taylor, D OGrady. Subs: P Rafferty for K Gallagher (inj); S Gallagher for T Cryan; S Dorrian for M Doddy.
Glencar-Manorhamilton — G Loughlin; M Poinard, S Devaney, T McDonald; S Loughlin, A OFlynn, D Poinard; F McGourty, D Sweeney; D Kelly, P Gilmartin, R McGourty; G Hickey, J Glancy, A Croal. Subs: A Sweeney for F McGourty, P McGuire for D Poinard (inj), B McDonald for R McGourty, A McDonald for Gary Hickey; Gerry Hickey for A Croal.
REF — P McGovern (Galway).
22-Oct-08 by Irish Independant.ie
