Goals prove decisive as Rosenallis defeat The Harps in the Laois Senior Hurling Championship

Rosenallis have gotten their Senior Championship campaign off to the best possible start as accurate shooting from the hurl of David Dooley coupled with goals from Jimmy Hyland and Charlie Friel saw them get over the challenge of The Harps in Laois Hire O’Moore Park this evening.

Rosenallis looked to be walking away with victory 10 minutes into the second-half as they held a strong nine-point lead only for The Harps to reduce the deficit to two before Rosenallis closed out the game and secured the victory.

Rosenallis 2-14

The Harps 0-17

Rosenallis began the game with more intensity as they fired over the game’s first four points. Jimmy Hyland scored a wonderful point over his shoulder to open the scoring before David Dooley pointed a 65’ to open his account in the contest. Fiachra C Fennell got his side’s third point as David Dooley pointed his second place ball to give his side an early advantage.

It would take nine minutes for The Harps to raise their first white flag as midfielder Conor Brophy dissected the posts from long-range. The next four scores would all come from placed balls for The Harps as both sides struggled to create any scoring opportunities on a slippery surface in Portlaoise. Ciaran Comerford slotted over four frees to wrestle the lead away from Rosenallis.

David Dooley would reply with his third score of the game with another free while he was the maker of the next point as he teed up Brian Fitzpatrick to blast the ball over the black spot. The next four points were traded as Ciaran Comerford slotted over a free and a score from play while Dooley replied with two frees for Rosenallis to give them a one-point advantage at the break, seven points to six in favour of Rosenallis.

Rosenallis started the second half just like they had done so in the first as they had The Harps on the ropes. David Dooley pointed another free before the game’s first green flag would be raised. Charlie Friel rattled the back of The Harps’ net with a thunderous finish. Within the next 60 seconds, Rosenallis would have their second goal as Hyland buried the ball to leave his side ahead by eight points. David Dooley pointed another free to increase their advantage to nine.

Ciaran Comerford and David Dooley both traded scores from play before The Harps raised three white flags without reply. Ciaran Comerford pointed a free and a 65’ while substitute Cathal Murphy made an instant impact with a score from play. David Dooley got his ninth score of the contest as he spilt the posts from play as Rosenallis now led by seven points.

The Harps didn’t lie down however as they got next five scores to leave the game in the melting pot as the game ticked towards the 60 minute mark. Cody Comerford and James Duggan both dissected the posts from play with Ciaran Comerford pointing two more frees. Tiarnach Doheny left two between the sides as he scored a monster point from his half-back position.

Rosenallis settled themselves and pushed themselves four points up late on as David Dooley (free) and Hyland left them ahead by four points. Ciaran Comerford took his tally to double figures with the game’s final score as Rosenallis hung on for a three-point victory in the end.