Ballybay 2-12
Monaghan Harps 0-11
By JOHN GRAHAM
REIGNING champions Ballybay are through to the semi-final of this year’s Gormley uPVC Senior Football championship following their well merited seven points victory over 14 man Monaghan Harps in Scotstown on Sunday evening last.
This was a game though where the Harps asked a number of questions of the champions particularly in the early stages but ultimately Ballybay had most of the answers and grew in stature as the game progressed.
Monaghan Harps got off to a flying start and carried the game to Ballybay who took some time to settle but Ballybay gradually got to grips out around the middle and started to exert periods of pressure.
Monaghan Harps had started in whirlwind fashion and in the opening six minutes they fired over three quick fire points from Nicholas Treanor, Neil McAdam and Stephen Driver as they set about consolidating in the early stages.
Ballybay got off the mark in the 5th minute through Barney McCabe but the Harps were on fire at this stage and they struck back for two excellent points from corner back Gareth Treanor and full forward Shane Smith to lead by four approaching the end of the opening quarter.
Ballybay were beginning to settle at this stage and by the 17th minute Christopher …