Harps hit the right note on two fronts in titles pursuit
TWO more of Ulster’s current reigning county club champions, both revelling in a Harps appendage, have laid down a marker in relation to their intention to retain titles.
Armagh title-holders Harps and Fermanagh kingpins Derrygonnelly showed at the weekend they are on the scent of more success by seeing off the challenge of Annaghmore and Roslea respectively.
Charlie Vernon, Ultan Lennon and Ryan McShane were in superb form for the Armagh city side in their 0-16 to 0-8 win while Conall Jones, Gary McKenna and Garvan Jones were very much to the fore in a fine Derrygonnelly Harps win by 0-12 to 0-6 win over a gallant Roslea side for which Seamus Quigley proved a lethal marksman.
While the Armagh championship continues on a round robin basis, the Fermanagh competition is rather more advanced as Derrygonnelly will now meet Devenish in the semi-finals with Ederney taking on Tempo or Erne Gaels in the other tie.
Maghery, who won the Armagh championship in 2016, beat Killeavy at the weekend by 2-14 to 1-6 while Crossmaglen Rangers, such a dominant force in the orchard county showpiece competition for two decades up until two years ago, overcame Silverbridge by 0-12 to 0-11.
Cian McConville, son of former Rangers and Armagh ace Jim McConville, grabbed what proved to be the winning point.
Ballymacnab, who have just claimed their first Armagh All-County League crown with county team skipper Rory Grugan their guiding light, have already shown they mean business in the championship by beating Sarsfields by 3-14 to 1-11.
In the Down football championship Clonduff beat Saval by 0-9 and there will be two further matches tonight when Carryduff meet Loughinisland and Castlewellan will take on Bryansford.
In the Monaghan championship, Conor McManus was in scintillating form for Clontibret in their fine 0-21 to 1-15 win over a battling Latton side.
McManus, very much in the frame for an All-Star following his superb exploits for the Farney county this year, landed a dozen points and proved the inspiration for his side’s victory.
And there was a handsome victory, too, for Truagh who beat Monaghan Harps by 1-25 to 0-6. Truagh were always in command with the Harps forced to wallow in their slipstream.
Meanwhile, the growing clamour to make Gaelic football more attractive could yet reap dividends in terms of potential rule changes.
It is now understood that a number of proposed playing rules changes are expected to go before Central Council in November.
Counties were asked to submit proposals to the GAA’s playing rules standing committee before last weekend and it appears that there has been an enthusiastic response to this by various counties.
While there is a body of opinion that would feel the rules should not be tampered with, nevertheless it has become clear that spectators have grown weary of over-use of the hand-pass, an increase in passing the ball backwards and short kick-outs.
It is believed that proposals to amend these perceived irritants could now make it all the way to Congress next February.