Hot Harney strikes gold in derby tie

Hot Harney strikes gold in derby tie

26 August 2015

SAUL secured their place in the quarter-finals of the IFC with a hard fought win over Drumaness at a soaking wet Ballykinlar on Sunday afternoon.

Torrential rain before the throw-in left both sets of players facing difficult playing conditions, but they made light of those and put on an entertaining derby that brightened up the afternoon.

Drumanes registered the first score through a Gary Murdock free, but Cathail Arnold cancelled this out with a sixth minute free for Saul. Ryan Connolly edged Drumaness ahead with a point from play, but Arnold converted another free to level matters again.

Gary Murdock and Ciaran Harney swapped pointed frees before Paul Gilchrist gave Drumaness a 0-4 to 0-3 lead after 14 minutes.

Arnold split the posts from play to bring the sides level at 0-4 apiece before the Harney brothers, Lorcan and Ciaran, conjured up a piece of footballing magic.

Arnold started the move out on the left flank before transferring the ball inside to Lorcan Harney who left his marker for dead.

He had the goal at his mercy, but passed to older brother Ciaran and he did the rest with a cool finish to the net.

Points from Arnold, Ciaran Harney, Pierce Laverty and Philip Traynor then gave Saul a 1-7 to 0-4 lead by the 21st minute and Cahal Murray’s side were on their way.

Paul Gilchrist gave Drumaness some respite with a pointed free, but Saul maintained the onslaught and unanswered points from Adam King, Ciaran Harney and Arnold sent Murray’s men in with a 1-10 to 0-5 interval lead.

Traynor extended Saul’s lead to nine points at the start of the second half before Gary Murdock cancelled this score out with a pointed free. Saul were having none of it and a scintillating run and finish to the net from Ciaran Harney gave gave his side a 2-11 to 0-6 lead by the 35th minute. 

Ryan Connolly and Arnold swapped points before Michael Rainey and Arnold did likewise, but Saul held the upper hand and another Arnold point from play gave Saul a 2-14 to 0-8 lead with 10 minutes remaining.

Drumaness then found their mojo and a goal from Brian McIlmurray was quickly followed by a second goal from Gilchrist to leave six points in it with three minutes to play. 

Any hopes of a concerted Drumaness comeback were then dashed with the rain pelting down and Thomas Magennis rubbed salt in their wounds when he pointed Saul’s insurance score in the dying stages.

Saul: C Marron, R Fitzsimons, P Baker, R Tumelty, T Magennis (0-1), C Byrne, P Laverty (0-1), C Mullen, A King (0-1), M McGrady, P Traynor (0-2), C Mahoney, C Harney (2-3), C Arnold (0-7), L Harney. Subs: C Shields for Traynor, C Doherty for Marron, P Hamilton for Laverty.

Drumaness: G O’Hare, B McGivern, S Carville, Mark Rainey, P Morgan, R Connolly (0-2), N McAleenan, B McIlmurray (1-0), C Murdock, N Stranney, P Gilchrist (1-2), G Murdock (0-3), Michael Rainey (0-1), D Kennedy, R Murdock. Subs: P Rice for G Murdock, A McLean for McAleenan.