The Armagh Harps Thread

[Skiddybadoo]

Comrades, any word on how the seniors got on in Galbally today?

[Candyman]

Harps lost the first game but won the second game 3-5 0-7.....

[Rufus T Firefly]

Galbally v Harps

Harps maintained their excellent start to the Ulster League with a very good win at Galbally on Sunday last.

Harps threatened from the start, and took a lead that was never to be relinquished, in the opening minutes. Smackers played a high ball into the Galbally square which was knocked down by Harpo to Gary McKinney, and he finished with his second goal in two games. Galbally overcome this shock and had the edge in play, scoring two points in the process. However a mix up in the home side's defence saw the ball break to Gary McKinney once again and he repeated the earlier dose with another well taken goal. Galbally again responded well with a point before Joe Quigley and Sean Morrison combined well to set up Minnie for a point. Galbally had a point from a free, but this was cancelled out immediately with a point from a Joe Quigley free after Sean Morrison was fouled. Defences on both sides began to dominate proceedings to the extent that the second quarter of the game was scoreless, with both sides only managing to register a number of wides each.

Half time, Galbally 0-04, Harps 2-02.

Harps started the second half in promising fashion, with Philly McKinney dominating in midfield with some great catches. Despite this dominance though, the first ten minutes remained scoreless, with again both defences on top – Jungle and Paddy Grimes featuring prominently for us. Galbally eventually managed the opening score of the half, with a point from play. Harps' replied shortly after with a score that effectively killed the game. Another high ball into the Galbally square was knocked down by Sean Morrison to Joe Quigley, and he was upended in the large parallelogram. Joe himself took the resulting penalty, and although the keeper made a good save, Joe was on hand to knock home the rebound. Galbally had a point from a free, but Harps were now firmly in control. Paddy Grimes, Smackers and Ebby combined well to set up Joe Quigley for a point from play, and Joe added a further point from a free. Jungle then found Sean Morrison with a great pass and Sean knocked over a point. With the game already won, play became scrappy, with both sides guilty of some bad wides. Galbally though did finish the game with a point right at the death, to leave seven points in it at the final whistle.

Full time, Galbally 0-07, Harps 3-05.

The Harps lined out as follows. Willie McSorley, Jungle McKee, Martin Gill, Kevin Daly, Chuckie Morris, Collie Holmes, Paddy Grimes, Smackers McAneney, Philly McKinney, Joe Quigley 1-3 (0-2 frees), Minnie Holmes 0-1, Ebby Toal, Gary McKinney 2-0, Sean Morrison 0-1 and Harpo McKenna (Gerard McDonagh). 

The Senior match was preceded by a reserve game between Galbally and Harps. We fielded a relatively young and inexperienced side, who were on the end of a ten point defeat, with Galbally winning by 2-11 to 0-07. Best for the Harps were Jim Marley and Ciaran McKenna in defence, Martin McCoy in midfield and Mark McConville and Michael Kelly in attack. The Harps team lined out as follows. Gareth Richards, David McCoy, Tommy O'Hagan, Jim Marley, Ciaran McKenna, Hugh McSorley, Neil McArdle, Martin McCoy, Daniel Rafferty, Paul Hart, Mark McConville, Michael Kelly, Aidan Clifford, Paddy Wilson and John Daly, with subs Paul Hagan and Greg Kerr.

[say nothin]

Any word of when the minors are back at training?

they started back on monday night past

[Goats Do Shave]

Paddy Grimes

Is he back playing with the Harps? 

I heard he tried to go to Clonmore last year, but wasn't permitted.

Then I heard he was living in Newry so he was looking at Killeavy possibly for a bit of football??

[Candyman]

If your Blue and White..... Ur F*ckin Blue & White!!! 

[Rufus T Firefly]

Harps v Loup

Harps' unbeaten run in the Ulster League came to an abrupt end when they were comfortably beaten at home by Derry side Loup. This was a match in which Harps started brightly, and managed to take a comfortable lead, but we lost our way before half time and struggled to make any impression in the second half.

In bright but cold conditions, Harps started off defending the dressing room goals. The opening exchanges were scrappy, but Harps eventually opened the scoring with a point from Gerard McDonagh, after good work by Ebby and Harpo. Kevin Kelly extended Harps lead with a point from a free before Martin Gill denied Loup a goal with a great block. Kevin Kelly added another point from a '50' before the Loup centre half back opened their account with a great point from out on the wing. They followed this up with a wide before Kevin Kelly added his third point, again from a free. Loup were still a threat, but could only post a further two wides and Kevin Kelly with yet another point from a free stretched the Harps' lead to four. From the kick out, two Harps players got in each others way, turned over possession, and Loup doubled their tally with a point from their number twelve. This score, with hindsight, was to be a turning point in the game. From the kick out, Loup won possession, despite what appeared to be a foul on Paddy Morrison, and the long ball in was gathered and played on to their corner forward for a well taken goal. This score levelled the game, and Loup took the lead for the first time with a point just before the interval.

Half time, Harps 0-05, Loup 1-03.

The second period started as the first half finished, with Loup in control. Their full forward scored a magnificent free from 55 yards out, although another two wides ensured they were still within touching distance. A high ball into the Loup square caused confusion, but it was scrambled clear for a '50', which Kevin Kelly just put wide. Loup had a further wide before they began to make their dominance tell with three points in a row. Gerard McDonagh managed a point from close in, when a badly needed goal was on. This was immediately cancelled out when Loup managed a point within a minute. Sean Morrison then had a bad wide for Harps when well placed. In a bid to change things around, Harps introduced Hugh McSorley, Tommy O'Hagan and Neil McArdle into the attack, at the expense of Ebby, Harpo and Gerard McDonagh. The new lads tried hard, and their efforts helped Sean Morrison score a good point from thirty yeards out, but it was Loup who finished on top with yet another wide before their excellent number eleven took a well taken point to close the match out.

Final score, Harps 0-07, Loup 1-09.

This was a disappointing performance and result, particularly when one considers the start that the Harps got off to. The concession of a goal and a point late in the first half seemed to knock Harps completely out of their stride, and it was Loup who dominated from there to the finish through excellent possession at midfield and a dangerous forward unit.

The Harps lined ouint as follows. Willie McSorley, Fergie McAleavey, Martin Gill, Jungle McKee, Chuckie Morris, Paddy Grimes, Kevin Daly, Philip McKinney, Paddy Morrison, Joe Quigley, Sean Morrison 0-1, Ebby Toal, Gerard McDonagh 0-2, Kevin Kelly 0-4 (0-3 frees, 0-1 '50') and Harpo McKenna. Subs, Hugh McSorley, Tommy O'Hagan and Neil McArdle.

[umgolaarmagh]

If your Blue and White..... Ur F*ckin Blue & White!!! 

Not in all cases   

[Candyman]

tut tut... 

[1stsub]

If your Blue and White..... Ur F*ckin Blue & White!!! 


Not in all cases   



U tell em umgolaarmagh!!!

[Rufus T Firefly]

Just a reminder if needed, for any Harps lads coming through here, that our Ulster League match at home to Longstone takes place at 3.30 pm this afternoon at Abbey Park

[Rufus T Firefly]

Harps v Longstone

Harps fell to their second Ulster League defeat in a row, when they hosted Down side Longstone at Abbey Park yesterday afternoon.

Harps started off defending the dressing room goals and playing into a stiff breeze. Longstone opened the scoring in the opening minutes with a well taken point from forty yards out. Harps responded well, but despite a period of pressure, could only manage three wides from Joe Quigley, as shooting into the breeze was proving difficult. Longstone eventually though began to dominate. They added a point from a forty yard free before having consecutive wides. Minnie Holmes replied for us with a well taken point, but Longstone still had the bulk of the play and added points from a free (that was moved up for back chat) and a shot from an acute angle. Harps were struggling to make any sort of impression at all and in the second quarter could only add a few disappointing wides. Longstone had two wides of their own but added four points towards the end of the half as they completely dominated play.

Half time, Harps 0-01, Longstone 0-08.

Harps' hopes of getting back into the game quickly were based on the strength of the wind, and it was not long before we were putting the advantage to good use. Joe Quigley pointed from a close range free after Ebby Toal was fouled, and although Longstone responded with a wide, Harps were now dominating. Joe Quigley landed a great point from fifty yards, and when his next free fell short into the square, Gerard McDonagh was on hand to fist it over his head and over the bar. Joe then added another Harps point from a free from 55 yards out, to cut the gap to three. Joe then had a wide from a difficult free, as the Harps supporters, for the first time, sensed victory. To be fair to Longstone, they rallied very well, and began playing some brilliant possession football into the wind. They landed their first point of the half, and then were denied a goal by a smart Gareth Richards block. They followed up with a wide from a free, before their excellent full forward added a point. Harps rallied once again; Sean Morrison had a great point when he cut inside and curled a point from thirty five yards and Joe Quigley gave Harps more hope with another point from a free. Longstone again responded well with a point from their centre half forward, but Harps again kept in touch with another Joe Quigley point after good play by Minnie. Harps kept up the pressure but had several bad wides. Kevin Daly had a great block in front of the nets to deny Longstone a goal, but Longstone added a point from their number twelve, after yet another great move. Harps made a flurry of substitutions in the closing minutes. Collie Holmes was denied a goal when his fisted effort hit the crossbar with the keeper beaten. Both sides finshed the game with a couple of wides each, the closest for us when Joe Quigley saw a free hit the post, and this left the visitors deserving winners by a margin of four points.

Full time, Harps 0-08, Longstone 0-12.

The Harps fielded as follows. Gareth Richards, Jungle McKee, Martin Gill, Kevin Daly (Fergus McAleavey), Chuckie Morris, Collie Holmes, Paddy Grimes, Smackers McAneney, Philly McKinney, Joe Quigley 0-5 (0-3 frees), Minnie Holmes 0-1, Gerard McDonagh 0-1 (Neil McArdle), Harpo McKenna (Matt Cartmill), Sean Morrison 0-1 (Ciaran McKenna) and Ebby Toal (Paul Hart).

[Rufus T Firefly]

Seniors League Fixtures 2008

Sunday 6th April - 2.00 pm - Home to St. Patricks

Sunday 13th April - 2.00 pm - Away to Killeavey

Sunday 20th April - 2.00 pm - Home to Crossmaglen Rangers

Sunday 27th April - 2.00 pm - Home to Clan na Gael

Sunday 4th May - 2.00 pm - Away to Mullaghbawn

Sunday 11th May - 2.00 pm - Away to Culloville

Sunday 18th May - 2.00 pm - Home to Dromintee

Sunday 25th May - 2.00 pm - Home to Maghery

Sunday 1st June - 2.00 pm - Away to Pearse Og

Sunday 8th June - 2.00 pm - Away to St Patricks

Friday 13th June - 7.30 pm - Home to Killeavey

Sunday 22nd June - 2.00 pm - Away to Crossmaglen Rangers

Friday 27th June - 7.30 pm - Away to Clan na Gael

Sunday 6th July - 2.00 pm - Home to Mullabawn

Sunday 13th July - 2.00 pm - Home to Culloville

Friday 18th July - 7.30 pm - Away to Dromintee

Match details still to be arranged: Away to Maghery and Home to Pearse Og

[Skiddybadoo]

Any word on how Charlie's knee is healing?

Congrats to the U-14s on their win over the Ogs today.  A great game with some exceptional skills on display.  The movement and pinpoint foot passing surpassed anything I've seen from the seniors, and two of the scores from the high-fielding No 9 (left foot, and right foot) were absolutely super kicks.

There are some very skillful players on both sides, and the Ogs' No 11 looks a real talent.

[stew]

Any word on how Charlie's knee is healing?

Congrats to the U-14s on their win over the Ogs today.  A great game with some exceptional skills on display.  The movement and pinpoint foot passing surpassed anything I've seen from the seniors, and two of the scores from the high-fielding No 9 (left foot, and right foot) were absolutely super kicks.

There are some very skillful players on both sides, and the Ogs' No 11 looks a real talent.

Well done the 14's. It is good to hear that bthe talent in the city is on the rise. When I get home the first thing i do is get to every Harps game I can in a two to three week period. The standard of underage football within the club is excellent, i just hope that the kid stay at it because we have some very fine footballers.