League Division Three (Sunday 2-November-97)

Lahardane turn form book on its head

Lahardane....................1-10
Parke........................0-10

Lahardane travelled to one of its unluckiest venues over the years for this vital league division three tie with county junior finalists Parke, and turned the form book on its head.

Their reward is an equally daunting game with last season's junior champions Breaffy, who have already trounced Lahardane in an earlier game tie.

Both sides started this game minus a number of influential players with the homeside settling early with Harry Flynn converting several frees.

Lahardane got into the game more following some fine points from Shane Blake, but then came the game's crucial score - a Tom Cawley goal from a close-in melee to leave the winners 1-7 to 0-5 clear at the break.

Shortly after the restart the Parke revival was well in progress, restricting the visitors to their own half for long periods. Indeed but for some inspired last ditch defending by all six backs, Lahardane would have lost.

The Nephinsiders finally weathered the storm and broke upfield for the three decisive points. The homeside were unlucky near the end when a shot came back off the crossbar.

Lahardane: E. Coyne, A. Marley, D. Kelly, F. Bryan, M. Marley, A. McDermott, A. Irwin, S. Blake, J. Gillespie, N. Garrett, J. Rowland, V. Cawley, D. Leonard, G. Burke, T. Cawley. Sub.: B. Rowland (for Garrett).

Referee: M. Herr (Crossmolina).