Junior Hurling Championship
First round v Clontibret

29th of July 2020 (Gavan Duffy Park)

Monaghan Harps showed no signs of disappointment following the late drama in their previous match as they started this match brightly with 1-02 to no reply. Cathal Power scoring a free, Sean Conway scoring an excellent point and Remy McKenna slamming home a goal. Clontibret eased themselves into the game with a point from play before a long ball spilled to the net which brought them back into the game. The Harps moved back into the ascendency with another few points, a pointed free from Cathal Power and a point from play by Aidan Burns. One of the major events of the game came just after the first water break as a Clontibret player lashed striking with the hurley at Harps midfielder Gavin Baxter, resulting in a straight red card. This left Clontibret with an uphill battle but they kept themselves in the game with frees from Shane McNally and another point from play. Cathal Power made a turnover in midfield and following some slick hurling the ball was played across the goals for Cillian Sherry to bat home another goal for the Harps. Some slack defending from the Harps saw Clontibret notch another goal but this was followed by an excellent goal from Aidan Burns. The Harps headed into the half time break with a lead of 4-04 to 2-04.

At the start of the second half, the Harps began to make the most of their spare man with some strong running and excellent point taking from Gavin Baxter and Remy McKenna. At the opposite end the Clontibret free-taker, Shane McNally, continued to keep his side in the game with a number of frees. Conor Flynn scored a long-range point before Cathal Power dropped a free under the crossbar to add a fifth goal for the Harps. Conor O’Neill scored the final point for the Harps and some resolute defending from Flynn, Lowry & McMahon kept the Clontibret forwards at bay. Final score: 5-08 to 2-09.

Monaghan Harps team & scorers:

Seamus McLoughlin, John Lowry, Dermot McMahon, Anthony Greenan, John Treanor, Conor Flynn (0-01), Conor Forde, Gavin Baxter (0-01), Cathal Power (1-03), Aidan Burns (1-01), Remy McKenna(2-01), Sean Conway (0-01), Cillian Sherry (1-00), Alan Lee, Ray Lee. 

Subs used: Nathan O Donoghue, Conor O’Neill (0-01), Luke Mulligan.

Tonight's fixture versus Latton has been postponed from 5/8/20 to 19/8/20 due to fixture congestion and refereeing issues. The next game is Tuesday 11/8/20 away to Castleblayney. A win will place the Harps a step closer to the Junior final and leave it in their own hands going into what is now the final game versus Latton.