Strong Second-Half Display Sees Slieve Bloom Claim IHC Title

Strong Second-Half Display Sees Slieve Bloom Claim IHC Title

Slieve Bloom 3-20

The Harps 3-09

Slieve Bloom produced a high-scoring second-half performance to overcome The Harps in an entertaining and end-to-end contest.

Cathal Murphy opened the scoring from a free after just a minute for The Harps, but Martin Delaney immediately equalised before Kelvin Burke put Slieve Bloom ahead.

The Harps responded with a superb score as Pat Walsh produced a one-touch volleyed flick over the bar after a brilliant long ball from Cathal Murphy, who had won possession in midfield under pressure.

Murphy then struck twice in two minutes, from play and a free, before adding a monster free from around 50 metres to put The Harps 0-05 to 0-02 ahead after 10 minutes.

Shane Fitzpatrick showed excellent alertness to dispossess Sean Nolan and score from play, before Murphy converted a 20-metre free for The Harps’ opening goal.

Slieve Bloom badly needed a response and got it through Martin Delaney, who found the net from play after 13 minutes. Ben Conroy then added a point as Slieve Bloom reduced the deficit to two.

Cathal Murphy was outstanding for The Harps as he sent a brilliant long ball towards Liam Dunphy, who worked himself a free to the side of goal.

From around 21 metres and with three Slieve Bloom defenders on the line, fortune favors rhe brave and for the second time, Cathal Murphy opted against taking his point from 21m out and instead smashed the ball into the net to restore The Harps’ advantage.

For The Harps, Conor Dunne then produced an excellent block on a shot from Martin Delaney, preventing a certain score, before Kelvin Burke pointed from play.

Slieve Bloom continued to fight back, with Conor Madden scoring a goal from play in the 24th minute. Fearghal Burke then brought them within a point.

The Harps came close to another goal when Kelvin Burke sent a superb ball into Madden, but The Harps goalie Peter Walsh produced an outstanding point-blank save.

Peter Walsh was called upon again shortly afterwards to deal with another attack involving Madden.

Slieve Bloom finished the half strongly, with Ciaran Conroy scoring two points from play to put them 1 point ahead at the break.

Half-time: Slieve Bloom 2-09, The Harps 2-08.

Slieve Bloom three wides early in the second half before Cathal Murphy levelled the game. Kelvin Burke immediately restored their lead, while Burke and Ben Conroy then added further points from play to move Slieve Bloom three clear.

Ben Conroy added another as Slieve Bloom’s intensity began to take control of the game.

Fearghal Burke made it 2-14 to 2-09 after 40 minutes before Ciaran Conroy extended the lead further.

The Harps were struggling to find the space they had enjoyed in the opening half, while Slieve Bloom’s defence repeatedly shut down their attacks.

Peter Walsh produced another superb save to deny Conor Madden a second goal, matching his first-half heroics where he had already denied Madden twice, this was the 3rd time in the game that Walsh had made unbeliavable saves.

Ciaran Conroy then struck twice from play as Slieve Bloom moved 2-16 to 2-09 ahead.

The lead reached nine points by the 50-minute mark. Conroy and Josh Holmes added further points before The Harps pulled one back through a third goal from Pat Walsh.

Slieve Bloom remained in control, with Ben Conroy and Ciaran Conroy adding late points before Josh Holmes completed the scoring with a goal.

Slieve Bloom ran out convincing winners on a scoreline of 3-20 to 3-09, having taken control through their second-half intensity and defensive organisation.

Man of the Match: Tom Delaney (Slieve Bloom’s Left Corner Back)

Tom Delaney delivered an outstanding defensive performance for Slieve Bloom, particularly after half-time, where his movement, positioning and man-marking made life extremely difficult for The Harps.

He consistently denied The Harps the space they had enjoyed during the first half, pushing attackers out, blocking shooting opportunities and making important clearances after winning possession.

One of his most important interventions came in the 45th minute when he produced a brilliant interception on Jay Brophy. He then completed the defensive sequence with a clearance. Had Delaney not made that interception and clearance, The Harps could have had a clear goal opportunity.

His defensive work also helped launch Slieve Bloom attacks, with his clearances from interceptions contributing to the two scores that saw Ciaran Conroy strike twice from play as Slieve Bloom moved 2-16 to 2-09 ahead.

Even when Slieve Bloom had established a commanding lead, Delaney never allowed his intensity to drop.

He produced another crucial tackle when Jay Brophy threatened to break through for a goal. Delaney and goalkeeper Gavin Conroy combined to deal with the danger, forcing Brophy wide and preventing the chance from developing.

Delaney’s performance went beyond simply protecting the lead. With the result effectively decided, he continued to play with the same intensity and commitment.

His outstanding long ball of 20m long from around 45 metres late in the game found Kelvin Burke, in the 65 metre line, helping create the move that eventually resulted in Josh Holmes‘ goal.

It was a superb all-round defensive display from Delaney, preventing further Harps goals whilst setting up one for his team too: combining intelligent positioning, aggressive defending, interceptions, blocks, tackles and accurate distribution. His ability to repeatedly shut down The Harps’ attacks was a major factor in Slieve Bloom pulling clear in the second half.

SCORERS – Slieve Bloom: Ciaran Conroy 0-7 (four frees, one 65), Martin Delaney 1-1, Conor Madden 1-1, Kelvin Burke 0-4, Ben Conroy 0-4, Fearghal Burke 0-2, Josh Holmes 1-1. The Harps: Cathal Murphy 2-7 (2-4 frees, 0-1 65), Pat Walsh 1-1, Shane Fitzpatrick 0-1.

SLIEVE BLOOM: Gavin Conroy; Rory Power, Sean Nolan, Tom Delaney; Gearoid Lowry, Evan Power, Darragh Delaney; Ciaran Conroy, Shane Farrell; Fearghal Burke, Martin Delaney, Ben Conroy; Kelvin Burke, Conor Madden, Josh Holmes. Subs: Jake Collins for Lowry (44 inj), Enda Conroy for Delaney (60), John Lowry for Madden (61)

THE HARPS: Peter Walsh; Aaron Mahon, Cathal Phelan, Eoin Holland; Jimmy Whyte, Conor Dunne, Conor Brophy; Will Duggan, Shane Fitzpatrick; Loclan Curran, Cathal Murphy, Danny Comerford; Jay Brophy, Pat Walsh, Liam Dunphy. Subs: Eoin Clancy for Comerford (4 – 7, blood), Eoin Clancy for Comerford (12, inj), Ben Dunphy for Holland (36 – 41), Ben Dunphy for Duggan (41), Cormac Dunne for C Brophy (50), Jack Dunphy for Holland (53, inj), Darren Maher for Walsh (60)

REFEREE: Mick Cleere (Rathdowney-Errill)