Harlesden Harps GFC Club Notes

Upcoming Fixture: 

Harlesden Harps first team will hope to put their recent losses in the league behind them when they take on St Josephs in their next game. The match is the quarter final of the Cara Stationery Shiels Cup and will take place on Tuesday, 20^th June at 7:15pm at Wormwood Scrubs, Artillery Lane (Off Du Cane Road), London, W12 0DF. After their recent win over the same opposition let’s hope the team can return to winning ways.

Previous Matches: 

Harlesden Harps played old rivals St Josephs recently in the semi-final of the Murphy Cup. The match was a close affair in the first half with little to separate the teams, the Harps leading by a point at the interval. In the second it was our boys who upped the intensity and pace to gain the upper hand with super scores coming from the likes of John Rafferty, Padraig McGoldrick and Darren Lynch. However, it was a speculative shot from roving corner back Tom Moriarty, already with a monster first half point to his name, which ended up in the net which would really drive home the Harps advantage. The team comfortably saw out the remaining minutes with Ashley O Halloran and Peter Rafferty carrying strongly to seal the victory on a scoreline of Harps 1-10 St Josephs 0-07. Onwards now to the final against St Brendans.

The Harps senior team also continued their league campaign recently against Éire Óg. A close game was had but unfortunately a couple of preventable goals for the opposition saw our boys lose out once again by three points. Some positive performances though from John Rafferty, Ashley O Halloran and Robert Reid, especially as the team had to play the majority of the match with 14 men. There’s still time to save the season with a collective and unified effort from everyone – Harps abú!

The Harps reserve team played their latest games of their league campaign with a super battling draw against St Kiernans and a narrow loss to Éire Óg.

In game one an annoying breeze was with Kiernans in the opening half and they went in to the half time oranges leading by three points. Our boys stepped up a gear in the second half but a goal and some cheap points mid-way through the half looked to have put the game out of reach. Not so, as the Harps upped the pace and a penalty save from the experienced Noel Furlong in goal would prove crucial to the comeback. A fine left footed finish to the net from Michael Breen and some beautiful point kicking from amongst others Ashley O Halloran, Gerry Rowley and Anthony Donelan left the final scoreline of Harps 1-11 St Kiernans 1-11.

In game two oven-like conditions greeted the Harps and Éire Óg with fitness being tested to the limit. After a solid first half display, this issue of fitness and unfortunately a lack of replacements to come on saw the opposition finish stronger and run out winners on the day. Massive thanks to all who turned up and some strong performances from James Mannion (bagging a career first goal) and the evergreen Bernie McManamon.

London Junior Team: 

Best wishes to Darren Lynch and Robert Reid in their involvement with the London Junior team this coming Sunday against Warwickshire directly after the senior county team’s game against Carlow.

Training: 

Training continues this week taking place Tuesday at 7:45pm in The Shamrock Club, 307A Horn Lane, Acton, W3 0BP (nearest tube station: North Acton on the Central Line). Any new players wishing to "play a bit a ball" are very welcome to come along to this well-run club. If needed we can offer good jobs, along with accommodation and a social life to our members. Transport to and from training and pick up from local stations can also be arranged.

As usual, check public transport is in use and for any likely traffic delays, etc and make sure everyone is at the venue nice and early for a proper preparation.

Contacts:

Michael Cawley tel: 07983 729179

Joe Lynch tel: 07971 242681

Paudie Mescall tel: 07525 832451

Barney Breen tel: 07736 314929

Tony O Halloran tel: 07773 336974

Seamus Fox tel: 07984 895247

Kevin O Gorman tel: 07454 012661

Membership 2017: 
Membership for the year is £60 per person. You will get your own club socks and shorts once membership has been paid. Everyone please pay a club officer sooner rather than later.

You can add the club on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/harlesden.harps to get more updates or follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/harlesden_harps.

If you are interested in sponsorship or getting involved, please feel free to contact the club and we will be happy to help.