The Armagh Harps Thread

[topgun]

B match tomorrow night against Keady in Mullabrack, meet up at Abbey 6 30pm, throw in 7 30pm. need a strong squad out

[Spiritof98]

Will the Harps get any Nicky Rackard Cup final tickets. Who do I need to contact regarding staking a claim, i am a fully paid up member thanks to our Leeds friend

[Armagh Cúchulainns]

Just a quick mention to any Harps posters and any other browers

Armagh Cuchulainns are playing Keady in the Minor Hurling Championship tonight in Abbey Park with a 7:30pm throw in.
Plenty of harps players both minor and under 16 involved and should be a good win.

[bennydorano]

Rufus' report with apologies for tardiness

Harps v Tir na nOg

Harps entertained Portadown Tir na nOg on Sunday last at Abbey Park, and in what was a tight encounter, managed to just gain victory by a margin of three points. For Harps, this was a significant victory, as Tir na nOg are a fellow struggler at the bottom of the league table.

The match, which had a noon throw in, was played in excellent conditions. Harps started off attacking the dressing room goals, but it was Tir na nOg who made the early running. A long range wide from their number nine was quickly followed by the opening point from play. A point was added from a close in free and following a late tackle that was moved up, another free brought about their third point. Harps at last managed to assert themselves on the game and Kevin Kelly opened our scoring with a point from a free. A couple of opportunities were dropped short into the keeper's hands although Tir na nOg in reply had two bad wides. They did though manage to regain their three point advantage with a good point from their number twelve, but Kevin Kelly added another point from a free after Charlie Vernon was fouled, following good work by Minnie and Gerard McDonagh. Harps had opportunities to narrow the gap further but wides followed from Charlie Vernon, Joe Quigley (2) and Kevin Kelly. Tir na nOg had another wide of their own but it was Harps who were dominating. Kevin Kelly had a point from a free before Minnie Holmes' brilliant pass put Kevin Kelly clear, and his shot found the corner of the net, to give the Harps the lead for the first time in the game. Charlie Vernon's dangerous run ended with a point before Kevin Kelly finished the half with a wide from a difficult free.

Half time, Harps 1-04, Tir na nOg 0-04.

Harps had the first attack of the second half, but Harpo's shot went wide. Tir na nOg in reply were unlucky to be denied a goal when they were denied by a smart Willie McSorley save. They did though manage a point from a Brian Mallon free after the Harps were harshly adjudged to have over carried. Joe Quigley then pointed after excellent work between Nippy and Gerard McDonagh. Harps continued to press. Simon Lennon had a wide before Kevin Kelly pointed from a free. Gerard McDonagh was unlucky to see his shot drift wide before Joe Quigley added a brilliant point from out on the wing. Harps were then caught slightly on the break, and were forced to concede a free when a goal threatened. The free was duly pointed. Both sides swapped wides, before Tir na nOg managed a further point from a free. With the finish line in sight, Harps began to get nervous and allowed Tir na nOg to come right back into the game. They had two bad wides before Charlie Vernon relieved the tension with his second point of the game. Tir na nOg had another bad wide and then missed a great opportunity when a close range shot at goal went agonisingly wide. They did manage a point from a Brain Mallon free but this was to be their last score of the game. Smackers (in for Harpo) had a wide, before Ebby followed suit.  Tir na nOg managed one last attack, but their shooting again let them down, and at the final whistle Harps were three points to the good.

Full time, Harps 1-08, Tir na nOg 0-08.

This was a must win game for the Harps, as they battle to avoid the drop. It was a game that they dominated for long periods, and yet, they can be thankful that Tir na nOg's shooting was way off – otherwise the outcome of the game could have been very different. Best for the Harps were Liam McAuley and Charlie Vernon in defence, Nippy in midfield and Ebby (who got through a great amount of work) and Gerard McDonagh in attack.

The Harps lined out as follows. Willie McSorley, Jungle McKee, Martin Gill, Liam McAuley, Chuckie Morris, Charlie Vernon 0-2, Kevin Daly, Nippy Swift, Simon Lennon, Harpo McKenna (Smackers McEnaney), Minnie Holmes, Joe Quigley 0-2, Kevin Kelly 1-4 (0-4 frees), Gerard McDonagh and Ebby Toal.     

[stew]

Great stuff, I am delighted the Harps got another win and are are slowly pulling out of the relegation zone. Kevin Kelly is getting it done and I follow his career with interest. I cant wait to get back next year and watch a couple of club games involving the seniors.

Great job on the reporting yet again Rufus.

[billy the kid]

Does anyone see any team beating crossmaglen in the seniors or minors or u21s this year surely someone could mount a respectable challenge somewhere along the line???  just out of a matter of interest why are the cross lads so much better than the rest of armagh?  I know about the disgraceful situation where they play nearly all the county finals on their own pitch (which would never happen in any other county in Ireland) but 11 in a row cant be down to just that.  Why dont the rest of Armagh kick up a fuss about the preferential treatment they get surely they arent that scary!!

[Datsun Donaghy]

just out of a matter of interest why are the cross lads so much better than the rest of armagh?  I know about the disgraceful situation where they play nearly all the county finals on their own pitch (which would never happen in any other county in Ireland) but 11 in a row cant be down to just that.  Why dont the rest of Armagh kick up a fuss about the preferential treatment they get surely they arent that scary!!

Cross are miles ahead off the pitch and that is reflected in the club results - other clubs appear to be happy to play for second place - Cross are on their way to 25 in a row, they're just getting to the half way point now and everyone else seems happy for them to do so. I hope they pick up another 4 All-Irelands at least along the way!!!

[Rufus T Firefly]

Very important victory for Harps last night when we had four points to spare over struggling Whitecross. The victory puts Harps on sixteen points which should be enough to see the threat of relegation lifted. Will get a report up as soon as possible!   

[say nothin]

16 points rufus

[Rufus T Firefly]

16 points rufus

Let me work this one out,

Clans away - 1 point,
Clans home - 2 points
Whitecross home - 2 points
Whitecross away - 0 points
Culloville away - 1 point
Pearse Og away - 2 points
Pearse Og home - 0 points
Tir na nOg away - 2 points
Tir na nOg home - 2 points
Maghery away - 0 points
Rangers away - 0 points
Mullabawn home - 0 points
Mullabawn away - 0 points
Dromintee home - 2 points


Good call Say Nothin - that's what happens when there is so much time between matches! 

Two points still needed!!

[say nothin]

calculator in the post

[bennydorano]

From RTF

Harps v Whitecross

Harps hosted Intermediate Champions Whitecross last Friday night in a match where victory would go a long way to ensuring Division 1 survival. The match, which was played in dark, overcast conditions, never reached any great heights. That however will not worry Harps, as they just about proved value for a hard earned victory.

Harps started off defending the dressing room goals and opened the scoring with a well taken Gerard McDonagh point. Kevin Kelly added another point from play before Joe Quigley fired a wide. Whitecross managed to open their own account with a point from a free, but this was to prove a rare occurrence. Harps dominated the first half but were guilty of some poor shooting. Kevin Kelly put a difficult free wide before Chuckie and Harpo combined well to set up Charlie Vernon for a point. From the kick out Nippy gathered, run through the middle of the visitors defence and slotted a nice point from thirty yards. Kevin Kelly had a bad wide before Joe Quigley pointed a free, which was awarded after good play between Harpo and Smackers. Joe added a point from another close in free before Kevin Kelly sent another difficult free wide. Simon Lennon added another poor wide before Declan Coulter, in for Matthew Cartmill, fielded well and curled a brilliant point. Nippy added a further point from play to put Harps totally in the driving seat. However, some of this good work was undone when Whitecross broke out of defence and managed to win a couple of close in frees in the closing minutes of the half, each of which were pointed. This left just five points in it at the break, which did not reflect Harps' dominance in the opening half.

Half time, Harps 0-08, Whitecross 0-03.

Whitecross came out with fresh enthusiasm after the break and quickly scored their first point from play through their number ten. Harps were finding it difficult to get going and were thankful to see Whitecross shoot two bad wides when scores beckoned. Gerard McDonagh had Harps first attempt of the half but this faded wide. Charlie Vernon was coming more into the game and Whitecross were having difficulty dealing with his penetrating runs from half back. Jungle set him up for another foray forward and Charlie run fully sixty yards before crashing home a great goal, to give the Harps some breathing space. Play then started to get very scrappy from both sides as Whitecross chased the game. Whitecross had a wide from a free before Charlie Vernon was unlucky to see his shot go wide of the post. Whitecross kept pressing and following an excellent move were unlucky to see a great cross shot come back of the inside of the post. Kevin Kelly had another wide from a difficult free before Whitecross struck for an excellent goal, following another slick move. In the next two attacks, Harps forwards were guilty of going for goals when points were on offer. Joe Q   uigley crashed a shot into the side netting whilst Declan Coulter was unlucky to see his shot strike an upright. Harps looked as if they might regret these misses when Whitecross were awarded a penalty. However, Harps had a let off when the kick was skied over for a point. With three points in it, Harps pressed for the insurance point, but could only manage wides from Kevin Kelly (2) and Chuckie. Whitecross themselves were guilty of a bad wide and in the closing moments Nippy showed great composure to score Harps' first point of the half and thus seal a hard earned victory.

Final score, Harps 1-09, Whitecross 1-05.

As stated at the outset, this was an important match to win for the Harps, as it not only eased our own relegation worries, but put fellow strugglers Whitecross further into difficulties. Best for the Harps, in what was a bit of a struggle, were Harpo, Charlie Vernon, Nippy and Liam McAuley.

The Harps fielded as follows. Willie McSorley, Jungle McKee, Martin Gill, Liam McAuley, Chuckie Morris, Smackers McAnaney, Kevin Daly, Charlie Vernon 1-1, Simon Lennon, Harpo McKenna, Nippy Swift 0-3, Joe Quigley 0-2 (0-2 frees), Kevin Kelly 0-1, Gerard McDonagh 0-1 and Matthew Cartmill (Declan Coulter 0-1). 

[Rufus T Firefly]

Our match at home to Culloville was abandoned after barely ten minutes of play, after Alan O'Neill suffered what looked like a neck injury. The injured player was taken to hospital by ambulance. Hopefully it won't be too serious, as I know Alan O'Neill has had neck or back problems in the past. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

For the reord, the score was one each at the time, Culloville taking the lead with a point from a free before the Harps equalised with a Gerard McDonagh point from play.

[topgun]

nothing to do with the thread, thought i would take the opportunity to let us no that if anyones interested poker classic (texas) in the Harps club Armagh on friday night, 8 30pm start, £20 in, proceeds in aid of mencap, member of the harps running the New York marathon in november, all support greatly welcomed, see www.justgiving.com/paulhagan if anyone would like to contribute.

Thanks Topgun

[Louis the Red]

If the Harps and Ogs were to merge what would be your starting 15 from the present panels