Gaelic Football action back underway

COMPETITIVE Gaelic Football action is well underway in both the Mens and Ladies competitions and there are some familiar faces who have started the season strongly.

In the Ladies Junior League, Dunedin Connollys travelled to Coatbridge for their first outing of the year to take on Tír Conaill Harps (above) and despite falling behind early, the Connollys girls soon found their feet and put in an impressive performance winning 11-18 to 1-04. A special mention must go to the Dunedin Óg girls who stepped up to play their first game with the ladies team and put in an excellent performance.

While it was a difficult result to take for Harps, for them the goal is clear—continued improvement throughout the year so that they can grow in confidence in stature. Indeed, Harps Ladies did just that securing a historic first-ever win in dominant fashion against the newly formed Stirling Carrigans. In what can only be described as a statement performance, Harps cruised to a 7-17 to 0-00 victory, showcasing their attacking flair and defensive solidity in a game that sets the bar for the rest of the season.

In the other match in this competition, Glasgow Gaels travelled to Aberdeen to take on Dalriada in what proved to be a highly competitive match. Despite going behind early on, the home side came back into it thanks in no small part to Shauna Ryan-Roberston.

Captain Danielle Connolly’s leadership kept Dalriada in touch and an early injury did not stop Dalriada’s midfielder Chloe Downey, from taking the reins by powering through the centre of the field and placing the ball over the bar, helping them to build momentum and more importantly put points and a goal on the board. Dalriada lead by two points come half time.

Despite heavy pressure from Gaels in the second -half, strong performances from throughout the team saw Dalriada overcome Gaels by a single point 4-7 to 3-9.

In the Ladies Intermediate Championship, meanwhile, old adversaries Glasgow Gaels and Dunedin Connollys have traded wins with both teams securing those wins away from home.

An impressive victory in Edinburgh by a scoreline of 6-12 to 4-8 saw Connolly looking for revenge as they travelled to Glasgow.

Connollys started well with great scores coming from Tara Kelly, Caoilfhionn Deeney and Claragh Connor, giving the girls the lead at half-time. The girls then kept the foot down and had some great play from backs through to the forwards leading to more great scores to secure the win by a scoreline of 5-9 to 2-5.

In the Mens Senior/Intermediate League, history was written at Stirling University as the newly formed Stirling Carrigans men's team (above) emerged triumphant in their inaugural official fixture, overcoming a spirited Tír Conaill Harps side—who were missing some key players—in a competitive encounter.

While Tir Conaill Harps drew first blood, taking an early two-point lead, Carrigans steadily found their rhythm, Odhran O’Connell etched his name into the club’s history books as he kicked the historic first point. The teams went on to trade points throughout the first-half, but it was Carrigans who led at half-time.

In the second-half, Stirling went on to build up an eight-point lead, but Harps were resilient and scored a goal late on to make it a nervy finish. However, Stirling managed the rest of the game well and held onto possession until the final whistle, where there were jubilant scenes as Stirling Carrigans secured victory. A special mention must go to the Stirling Carrigans full-back, Eamonn Scanlon, who produced a man of the match performance where he dominated in the full-back line.

The Stirling side would fall to a 1-20 to 2-07 defeat to Dalriada and also a 3-14 to 1-05 to Connollys Seniors, but they would pick up another win over Glasgow Gaels Intermediates after the latter side couldn’t field. It’s not been the easiest of start for the latter, having lost their opening match to Connollys by a scoreline of 2-13 to 0-06 in Edinburgh. In their next match, however—which took place as The Irish Voice was going to press—there was a much-improved performance as Gaels fell 3-12 to 3-07 to Tír Conaill in Cambuslang. The match ebbed and flowed and at half-time Harps led 2-05 to 1-05, with only a late goal separating the teams. Despite the home side taking a commanding lead in the second-half, Gaels showed great determination to get themselves back into the game with two quickfire goals, but Harps held on to win 3-12 to 3-07.

Harps had a tougher time of it when they took on Glasgow Gaels Seniors. Despite taking an early lead and starting positively, the Harps found themselves overwhelmed as the Gaels seized control and never let go. Though the final scoreline of 5-17 to 0-06 was a tough one to take, there were still positives to take for the Harps with regards to passages of the performance.

Tír Conaill performed admirably against Connollys Seniors in a match that was gritty and competitive throughout. Connollys’ Andrew Geraghty and Kevin Carr put in strong

performances in the midfield, while Conor Long brought a sure and steady presence at the back, ensuring that the Edinburgh side won out 2-16 to 1-13.

So, if you’ve caught your breath from taking in all those results, as it stands, Connollys are in pole position in the Senior League and Intermediate B League, while Carrigans, in their first full season head up the Intermediate A League. However, with more games still to play, it could all change!