Promotion for Lahardane (5-August-98)

Lahardane..................0-13
Aughamore..................0-13

After a heartbreaking loss in last year's promotion play-off, and with nine regulars lost through injuries and emigration since then, Lahardane by virtue of this nail-biting draw with Aughamore, are promoted to Intermediate status for the first time.

With this depleted team, Lahardane got through the campaign with one defeat and this final round game was always going to be the toughest test.

The league points seemed to be going the way of the East Mayo side who took the game by the scruff of the neck in the second half, inspired by Dom Greally and a very potent forward line.

Lahardane led at the break by one point and by four midway in the period.

Many frees were conceded by Lahardane and with time almost up the home side Lahardane found themselves one point down. Then Noel Garrett won a free for Lahardane and Cormac Rowland coolly slotted over the bar as he had four times previously in the game. Earlier scores for Lahardane also came from Declan Leonard, Brian Rowland, Ross Nolan and Gerard McGreevy.

The promotion caps great perseverance by manager Paddy Gilger and his selectors.

Lahardane: E. Coyne, P. Leonard, A. McDermott, R. McDermott, N. Garrett, M. Marley, J. McDonnell, S. Blake, J. Gillespie, D. Leonard, G. McGreevy, B. Rowland, C. Rowland, R. Nolan, T. Cawley.

Referee: M. Herr (Crossmolina).