Saul’s Harney proves the difference in win

Saul’s Harney proves the difference in win

20 April 2022

SAUL played out a well-earned and hard fought victory over a strong Longstone side on Thursday night. 

Longstone arrived to the fixture with confidence after their convincing win against An Riocht last week, whilst Saul looked to get their season off to a winning start. 

With a new management team at Saul, Conor O’Toole will have had his men prepared for a physically demanding game and they did not disappoint. 

Ciarán Harney got the scoring started in the second minute, with a point from a free which he quickly followed up with another from play. Longstone responded through a free which was easily converted. After ten minutes Saul were reduced to 14 men when James Johnston was shown a red card for tackle on a Longstone player. 

Longstone levelled the points through a free, but that was not to last long as great play from Harney saw him notch the only goal of the game in 11th minute. 

Saul kept the pressure on through a Rory Mullen converted point. Cathail Arnold kicked over a free but Longstone replied with two quick points to close the gap. 

For the last ten minutes of the first half, it was point for point, as Saul’s Harney converted a free and team-mate Jack Fitzsimons finished well for a point. 

Longstone’s Ronan Harrison kicked over a free before team-mate Michael Ireland added another score. At half-time Saul led by a goal. 

As the second half got underway, it was Longstone who struck first through Michael Ireland. 

Saul made a change with Rory Mullen departing for Cathal Kinsella.

Ciarán Harney kept his scoring tally up with a well taken free on the 47th minute which was followed up with a point by his brother, Lorcan, in the 50th minute. 

Longstone were awarded a penalty but Jack Hazard saved the effort before the ball was cleared from danger. 

Longstone managed to split the posts a further two times before the final whistle although the goal difference was restored by Saul’s Ciarán Harney in the final minute when he converted a free.