SILVERWARE SEASON
EASTERN Harps completed their 50th season in existence with silverware – a fitting tribute to those men and women who have propelled this famous club since its foundation in 1973.
Last Saturday’s Sligo U-20 ‘A’ Football Championship success was another sign that this club is rebuilding and these players, among them members of an ultra-talented U-17 side that reached a Connacht final recently, will enhance next year’s drive for a Connacht Gold Intermediate Football Championship title.
Thanks to dynamic play by team Dylan Walsh as well as vital scores from Caelan Hunt (1-2), James Kiernan (0-4) and Matt Henry (0-3) Eastern Harps eventually chalked up a five-point victory over a DrumcliffeRosses Point side that gave as good as it got in the first-half.
The winners, who were 0-8 to 0-7 up at the break, were grateful for Caelan Hunt’s well-taken 52nd minute penalty that put six points between the sides, 1-10 to 0-7, and ending any hopes of a Drumcliffe-Rosses Point comeback. This game – played under lights on a cold, foggy night at Tourlestrane GAA Club’s facilities – was the third instalment of Farseeing GAA Folk Don’t Mind The Fog trilogy, a sequence of games that began the night before (Friday) when Fr Kevin Brehony Park, Keash, hosted the Sligo U-20 ‘B’ decider before moving to Castlebar’s Hastings Insurance MacHale Park where Owenmore Gaels took on Lahardane MacHales on Saturday afternoon. What joined all three games were foggy conditions, reduced visibility and, in hindsight, the realisation that these fixtures shouldn’t have been played.
But played they were and those in Tourlestrane got on with it, even with proceedings given a mystical quality due to spectators (and media) in the venue’s stand unable to perceive what was happening on the far side a EASTERN Harps GAA Club, founded in 1973, has enjoyed and superb year to mark this milestone in the club’s proud illustrious history.
Last Saturday’s U-20 ‘A’ Championship was the latest Gaelic football title won by Harps in 2023.
The club also won the East Division Spring League (adult), Benson Cup (adult), Furey’s Coaches Senior Football League Division Two title (adult) and the Expert Electrical Sligo
U-17 ‘A’ Football Championship title. Harps reached the semi-finals of the Connacht Gold Intermediate Football Championship and their teens were AIB Connacht GAA Club Minor ‘A’ Football Championship finalists.
The number of scorers for Eastern Harps in last Saturday’s Sligo U-20 ‘A’ final against DRP. of the pitch and in the corners on that side.
The first-half was brisk as two well-drilled sides showcased their abilities. Drumcliffe-Rosses Point were exceptional in the opening 10 minutes, building up a 0-3 to 0-1 lead, and their three early points were all fine scores from James Donlon, Paul O’Brien and Ross Chambers, who fisted the ball over the crossbar after a trademark surge from the flank. Eastern Harps were forced to respond and they drew level – a response started by Matt Henry’s classy score – but Danny Cronin’s point had Drumcliffe-Rosses Point back in front by the 12th minute, 0-4 to 0-3.
This only prompted an even better recovery from Eastern Harps, who landed five points without reply to lead by four, 0-8 to 0-4, with 22
minutes gone. Sean Conheady, James Kiernan – who played well – and Matt Henry each pointed with aplomb and Eastern Harps also dropped a couple of point efforts short into DrumcliffeRosses Point goalkeeper Donnchadh O’Brien.
Drumcliffe-Rosses Point were struggling. But three brilliant points in first-half stoppage time, including a brace from Michael Carroll and another score by industrious midfielder Paul O’Brien, revived Drumcliffe-Rosses Point’s title bid. Paul O’Brien’s score was the culmination of a lovely move that involved Ciaran O’Reilly, who captained the north Sligo team, and Michael Carroll, who then added a majestic point.
Drumcliffe-Rosses Point were seeing clearly, even it that wasn’t the case for those watching on, but they would only score two more points – both of these scores coming in the last eight minutes of normal time. Eastern Harps, without talented teenager Cian Carty, generally controlled the second-half, even if they only gradually began to show this dominance on the scoreboard. James Kiernan brought his tally up to 0-4 and the wing-forward was denied a goal as well.
Even with a slight improvement in conditions there was still an eerie feeling and Drumcliffe-Rosses Point certainly felt uneasy when Caelan Hunt was fouled in the goalmouth after getting a pass from Matt Henry. Referee John Niland awarded the spot-kick and when Caelan Hunt buried the shot it put Eastern Harps on course for a certain victory.
Another piece of silverware for a trophy cabinet that has been continually extended over five decades.
HARPS FOREVER: Brothers Conor and Dylan Walsh, who started at midfield for Eastern Harps last Saturday, and their dad, Peter, following last Saturday’s defeat of DrumcliffeRosses Point at Tourlestrane GAA Club’s floodlit pitch.
Dylan Walsh
Jamie McCoy, David Lyons, Finn Bruen, Liam Higgins, Sean Conheady (0-1), Donal Mitchell, Marty Murray, Dylan Walsh (c) (0-1, 1f), Conor Walsh, James Kiernan (0-4), Jim Molloy, Caelan Hunt (1-2, 2f, 1-0 pen), Nathan Dwyer, Matt Henry (03), Barry Cryan
Subs used: Josh McHugh, Evan Powell
Donnchadh O’Brien, Hugh Keaney, Thomas Davis,
Sean Keane, Ross Chambers (0-1), Ciaran O’Reilly (c), Rian O’Callaghan, Paul O’Brien (0-2), Eamonn Keane, Ciaran Smith, James Donlon (0-1), Joe Campbell, Cian Oates, Michael Carroll (0-3), Danny Cronin (0-1) Subs used: Daire Scanlon, Eamon O’Mahony (0-1), Sean McCabe, Conor Gillen
Referee: John Niland
RESULTS
Played on Friday, December 1
Played on Saturday, December 2
Sligo U-20 ‘A’ Football Championship