The Armagh Harps Thread

[Uladh]

McKinney is possibly the best fielder of a ball in the county

Ah come on lads

[Smokin Joe]

He is 31, a little late to get a County Call up.

From memory I think he featurd in 1 McKenna Cup match a few years ago.

I went to school with Philly and know him well, but I wouldn't have had him down as a county midfielder.

[bennydorano]

He did play McKenna Cup once, if I remember rightly he broke a finger within 15 mins of his debut starting!  Phily has started the season like a man possessed, dont think county football is on his agenda.

[Rufus T Firefly]

Have been away from the Board for a few days between Confirmation (I bet you all thought I was older  ) and a work related trip.

Missed the match at Culloville with the aforementioned Confirmation, but the 'draw' was the talk of the crowd outside the Cathedral. Will be in contact with management to see if I can post up match details here before the week-end.

Hard luck to the lads on that one, and hopefully the fortunes will change for the better. Of course the ill fortune was put into perspective by the loss of our esteemed member, Michael Carson. Michael will be sorely missed in many walks of life, and that includes Abbey Park, where his help in selling tickets for the half time draw was greatly appreciated.

Deepest sympathies to the Carson, Scowcroft and McTaggart families - all of whom are closely linked to our Club.

May Michael Rest In Peace.

[fcuksake]

A Gentleman

RIP

[topgun]

i see there are B league fixtures this friday night, does anyone no if they are going ahead, with playin B championship on thurs and a fixture against Ballyhegan penciled in for fri night in Abbey.

[Rufus T Firefly]

Gutted I missed last night's match, but fair play to the management and squad - hopefully things loking up.

Report of sorts provided, with thanks to Benny and Uladh on here and Egg and Jacko at the match.

Dromintee v Harps

Harps travelled to Dromintee last night (Monday), and in their best performance to date, earned a fully deserved six point victory.

In excellent conditions for football, Harps attacked the dressing room goals, playing into whatever breeze there was. Harps took the game to Dromintee early on and soon had the opening point of the game through a Kevin Kelly free. Corner back Jungle McKee, who appeared to have a free role, scored Harps' second point and when Kevin Kelly notched his own second point, again from a free, Harps appeared to be in total control. Harps were dominating play, but were not showing this on the scoreboard as numerous shots drifted wide or fell into the keeper's arms. Micheal O'Rourke opened the Dromintee scoring with a point from a free, but Kevin Kelly responded once again in similar fashion. Dromintee still managed to keep in touch with two further Micheal O'Rourke points (a free and an excellent point from a side line kick),  and things remained tight as Paddy Morrison's close range fisted goal was disallowed for square ball. Harps though continued to dominate and ended the half with two further Kevin Kelly points: one from a brilliant sideline kick and the other from a free.

Half time, Dromintee 0-03, Harps 0-06.

The second half of the match continued in a similar vein to that of the first, with Harps playing excellently as a team, dominating play, but not making it count on the scoreboard. Kevin Kelly opened the second half scoring with a point from play, and Jungle McKee who was having a stormer, added his second point. Micheal O'Rourke appeared to be Dromintee's only threat up front, and he added his fourth point of the night with a well taken point from play. Kevin Kelly soon cancelled this out with a brilliant point off his weaker right foot, and when Sean Morrison tapped over from close in, the game appeared to be in the bag. Harps however are never much inclined to make life easy for themselves or their supporters, and a Dromintee rally in the last quarter saw them add four points through the excellent Micheal O'Rourke (3) and Barry Shannon (1), to Harps' single reply - a well taken point from Minnie Holmes. With time fast running out, Dromintee had now closed the game to three points, but Harps made one final push. Jungle McKee, who was playing all over the pitch, ran up the right wing, and his cross into the goalmouth was met by Kevin Kelly who fisted to the net from close range to seal the game for the Harps.

Final score, Dromintee 0-08, Harps 1-11.

This victory was a much needed boost for the Harps, particularly after the events of last week, when an error by the official denied Harps a badly needed victory at Culloville.

This was a well deserved victory, based on a great work ethic and support play throughout the field. Every single player made a great contribution, but the efforts of Martin Gill, Kevin Daly, Jungle McKee and Charlie Vernon in defence, Collie Holmes and Philly McKinney in midfield, and Nippy Swift and Kevin Kelly up front, were particularly noteworthy.

The Harps fielded as follows. Johnny Daly, Kevin Daly, Martin Gill, Jungle McKee 0-2, Chuckie Morris, Charlie Vernon, Paddy Grimes, Collie Holmes, Philip McKinney, Nippy Swift, Minnie Holmes 0-1, Ebby Toal, Kevin Kelly 1-7 (0-5 frees), Paddy Morrison and Sean Morrison 0-1.

[nashville]

Great Senior starting debut for Ultan Lennon today, taking some great scores and putting away the penalty nicely, why has he been kept under wraps for so long, took 8 games for him to get a start? We certainly could have been doing with his quality shooting during the rough patch at beginning of season!

Good run of performances from the boys, - A match that got away from us at the end in Mullaghbawn that we should have closed out. - The Culloville "win" - Away win to Dromintee. - And win today against Maghery, certainly pushes us up the table a good bit.

[bennydorano]

He's had a series of niggily injuries, although with a full team he could still find it hard to start.  Marty McCoy and Mark McConville should be home soon from Uni which will give us further options & more strength in depth.

Great win today, showing plenty of character and fight.

[Skiddybadoo]

What about Decky Coulter.  Will the hurlers defeat mean he'll concentrate on the club football.  Have seen him down at a few of the earlier games and he's keen to get back.  Deffo a starting contender, no?

Great win today.  Wind was a big factor.  Mini hit a score from near the dug-outs that was still rising as it went over the bar.  Some great cathes from Philly and Mini had a very productive day.  Ultan's man dragged him every minute of the day, yet Slevin gave him nothing.

Anyways, great win without some important personnel.

Anyone want to slap the bake of the Maghery linesman when he blew a kiss to the stand?  Was funny though.

[Rufus T Firefly]

Harps v Maghery

Harps continued their recent good form when they overcame Maghery in a tight encounter at Abbey Park on Sunday. Harps were missing their county contingent as well as Kevin Kelly and the suspended Joe Quigley in attack, so the win, despite Maghery's lowly league position, was still an excellent result.

In bright and dry conditions, Harps played towards the dressing room goals in the first half, and into the face of a surprisingly stiff breeze. Play started off end to end, with Philly McKinney shooting across the face of the goals and wide. Maghery replied with two wides of their own whilst Harps were unlucky that no one could get a touch on a dangerous Philly McKinney centre. From this let off, Maghery gained possession and, via a three man move, scored a brilliantly worked goal. Their corner forward had another wide before they added a point from a free, given for an off the ball incident. Maghery added a further point, again from a free, whilst Harps wasted several chances. There were signs however that Harps were beginning to get on top. Ultan Lennon opened the Harps' account with a point from a free, and although Maghery cancelled this out with their first point from play, Sean Morrison added an excellent right footed point after good work by Paul Holmes. Harps had two further wides before Ultan Lennon gathered a break and pointed from close range. Harps were still finding it difficult shooting into the breeze and another two wides followed. The half ended though in a flurry of scores, with Maghery adding three points (one the result of a brilliant length of the field move) to Harps' two – a fisted effort from Ebby Toal and another free from Ultan Lennon.

Half time, Harps 0-05, Maghery 1-06.

With the breeze behind them, Harps were hopeful of gaining the upper hand, but it was Maghery who were quickest out of the blocks with two points. This left Harps with a six point deficit to make up and to be fair they responded with great determination. Ultan Lennon added a point from a free and Paul Holmes grabbed a brilliant point from fifty five yards out. Paul McKenna had now replaced Ebby Toal in the Harps' attack, and two further points from Ultan Lennon frees closed the gap still further. Maghery responded with a point from a rare attack whilst Sean Morrison had a bad wide when well placed. Then came the key moment in the game. An incisive Harps move saw Paul Holmes' run stopped illegally on the edge of the area and the referee awarded a penalty. Ultan Lennon stepped up and calmly side footed to the net, sending the keeper the wrong way. Ultan then added another point from a free before Harps were needlessly penalised for over carrying and Maghery equalised from the free. From the kick out, Philly McKinney fielded brilliantly, played in a great ball to his brother Gary (in as a sub for Paddy Morrison) who in turn sent over an inspirational point from way out on the left wing. The game was now there to be won, but Harps were guilty of some very poor shooting. With time running out, Sean Morrison pointed to give the Harps the cushion of a two point lead, but there was still time for one last scare, when a long free kick into the Harps' goalmouth was fisted over the bar by an inrushing forward.

Final score, Harps 1-12, Maghery 1-11.

Best for the Harps were Philip McKinney, Paul Holmes and man of the match Ultan Lennon who ended the game with a personal tally of 1-7.

The Harps fielded as follows: Johnny Daly, Kevin Daly, Martin Gill, Neil McArdle, Kevin Morris, Paddy Grimes, Conall McKee, Stephen McAneney, Philip McKinney, Ebby Toal 0-1 (Paul McKenna), Paul Holmes 0-1, Gerard McDonagh, Ultan Lennon 1-7 (0-5 frees, 1-0 penalty), Paddy Morrison (Gary McKinney 0-1) and Sean Morrison 0-2.     

[Candyman]

McKinney is possibly the best fielder of a ball in the county, but don't know if he is intercounty class.  Didn't he get a few runs in the McKenna cup a few years ago.  I'd say McDonnell saw enough of him while at the Harps to judge whether he's good enough.  Deserved a chance this year though.

Philip was invited onto the county panel lastweek but refused!!

[Candyman]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/photo_galleries/7426165.stm#

[Aghdavoyle]

Philip was invited onto the county panel lastweek but refused!!

Thats disappointing. the water isn't gonna fill itself

[Candyman]

Philip was invited onto the county panel lastweek but refused!!

Thats disappointing. the water isn't gonna fill itself

The way your lot are going i'd choose my words wisely if I was you.... Sure all that talk of unrest in the camp is only rumour anyway, isnt that right???