Intermediate Championship Preliminary Round (Sunday, 15th of July)

Lahardane............1-11
Parke.....................0-10

Lahardane advanced to a quarter final showdown against The Neale after this hard earned Intermediate Championship game, played in splendid conditions, against neighbours Parke last weekend.

Parke started better and scored early points from Kenneth Hyland and a Simon Cloherty free. Lahardane replied with a Cormac Rowland free before Stephen Cloherty pointed superbly coming through the Lahardane rearguard from his own half-back position. The quality of football in the opening half was rugged as both teams seemed to be very nervous. John Rowland was Lahardane's best player in the early stages and he kept his side in the game with two fine points after defence splitting runs.

Parke responded with great points from Michael Costello after long deliveries from experienced midfielder Martin "Ginger" McLoughlin. Simon Clothery then pointed another free. Patrick Rowland who was making his debut at this level for the homeside, and played very well, pointed after running onto a breaking ball. This ended the scoring in the first half leaving the score at Lahardane 0-04 to Parke's 0-06.

The standard of football was fractionally better in the second period, however the game was marred by a serios injury to Parke defender Henry Kenny who received a double fracture of his shin early in the half. He was removed by ambulance to the hospital.

When the game resumed Parke were still in control. Harry Flynn and Shane Blake exchanged points while Niall Dunne followed on with another point for Parke. As the game entered the final quarter Lahardane finally got on top at midfield with Anthony McDermott and James Gillespie raising their games. Points from James Gillespie and two from Cormac Rowland levelled matters as the game neared its conclusion, however with the injury to Henry Kenny a long period of injury time had to be played and this was when Lahardane finally took control.

Lahardane sub Chris Barrett had a major bearing on the game when introduced in the full forward position, he gained possession and passed to Declan Leonard who was dragged down in the penalty area. Referee Padraig Costello pointed to the spot and team captain James Gillespie shot low and hard to the net. Lahardane now had the lead for the first time and Cormac Rowland got the insurance point with a free kick. Niall Dunne of Parke was dismissed for dissent just before the final whistle.

For the winners, Adrian Marley, John McDonnell and Ray McDermott were always solid in defence, James Gillespie and Anthony McDermott grew in stature as the game progressed at midfield, while in attack John Rowland, Patrick Rowland and substitute Chris Barrett done well.

Cousins Tom and Michael Walsh were the best of the Parke defence, McLoughlin was always to the fore in midfield and in attack Michael Costello, Kenneth Hyland and Simon Clotherty were the pick of the bunch.

Lahardane: A. McDonnell, M. Marley, J.J. Leonard, R. McDermott, B. Rowland, A. Marley, J. McDonnell, A. McDermott, J. Gillespie (1-01); J. Rowland (0-02); D. Kelly, P. Rowland (0-01); D. Leonard, S. Blake (0-01); C. Rowland (0-06).
Subs: V. Cawley (for D. Kelly); G. Burke (for P. Rowland); C. Barrett (for J. Rowland).

Parke: B. Coyle, F. Cloherty, A. Dunne, M. Walsh, T. Walsh, Stephen Cloherty, H. Kenny, M. McLoughlin, R. Lynch, J. Broderick, M. Costello, Simon Cloherty, H. Flynn, K. Hyland, N. Dunne.
Subs: P. McHale (for S. Cloherty); G. Costello (for H. Kenny inj.).