Laois Today: Late Harps dominance sees them claim Division 4 football title

The Harps 0-15 Emo 0-7
ACFL Division 4 Final

The Harps claimed the first piece of silverware up for grabs in the 2021 season with an eighth point victory over Emo in the Division 4 final.

The Harps started the better of the two sides in possession terms, but it was a Dylan Langford free that gave Emo the first score of the game.

The electric Ciaran Comerford led The Harps’ attack from the off and he converted his own free to level the scores.

The Harps began to dominate midfield, particularly Emo’s kickouts, and this led to quick scores for Cathal Murphy and Conor Delaney.

Emo were struggling for possession in the opening quarter but a fast counter attack through Dylan Langford resulted in Ross Meredith pointing on the turn.

Comerford again replied with a free just before the first half water break.

Emo had more possession after the water break and they used it well. Langford and Brophy pointed to leave one between the sides.

With eight minutes to go until half time the game sprung into life as The Harps thought they had the opening goal of the game.

Ciaran Comerford beat three defenders on a powerful run before slotting the ball into the net. However he was controversially called back for over carrying.

Emo countered quickly, with Langford spearheading the move, but Paul Shorthall acrobatically denied Mickey Dowling’s shot.

A moment later, Langford scored an outrageous point off his left to leave The Harps leading 0-5 to 0-6 at half-time.

Similarly to the first half, The Harps started out with possession from the throw-in, but this time they found a point through wing-back Darren Maher.

Langford again pointed for Emo but The Harps’ pace and power began to tell in the second half as began to really get on top.

Conor Delaney pointed two fine scores either side of a monster Comerford score.

Emo had opportunities to counter but the final pass evaded them on numerous occasions.

Just before the second half water break The Harps were denied another goal. They worked the ball up the field at pace but Padraic Dunne’s shot was saved by Keith Langford.

Pat Walshe converted the rebound as The Harps established a nice lead.

With 10 minutes to go Emo seemed out on their feet in midfield and lacking any pace upfront, however another Langford point kept them in it.

Emo pushed up as timed ticked on and this yielded a chance for Niall Wheeler but once again Paul Shorthall kept him out.

The Harps picked off two late scores on the counter to cap off a very sweet eight point victory in the end.

SCORERS – Emo: Dylan Langford 0-5 (two frees), Ross Meredith and Glen Brophy 0-1 each The Harps: Ciaran Comerford 0-5 (four frees), Conor Delaney 0-3, Cathal Murphy and Pat Walshe 0-2 each, Fionn Whelan, Darren Maher and James Duggan 0-1 each

EMO: Keith Langford; Paddy Dunne, Ian Fennelly, Eoin Montague; Tommy Keegan, Niall Wheeler, David Fennelly; Chris Gleeson, Mickey Dowling; Tommy Fennelly, Ross Meredith, Eamonn Donnelly; Glen Brophy, Dylan Langford, Rory Meredith. Subs: John O’Connor for Brophy (41), Jack Ryan for D Fennelly (58), Diarmuid Owens for Dowling (60), Liam Kitchen for R Meredith (63)

THE HARPS: Paul Shorthall; Jake Downey, Podge Delaney, Cathal Phelan; Rian Edwards, Padraic Dunne, Aaron O’Grady; Pat Walshe, Cathal Murphy; Niall Brophy, Ciaran Comerford, Darren Maher; Adam Kenna, Fionn Whelan, Conor Delaney.

Referee: Johnnie Brennan