Harps aim to continue their success story

FOR those of involved with Tír Conaill Harps GAA Club, it has always been about more than football. Since the club’s foundation in 1994, its members have worked to build something that reflects the very best of community sport—a club where young people thrive, families feel welcome and culture, wellbeing and connection sit alongside competition. Three decades on, the Harps remain a living, growing expression of that original vision.

Harps began with a small group of volunteers and young players who believed Glasgow needed a club rooted in youth development and community values. Meeting in Govanhill Neighbourhood Centre, their ambitions were modest, but their purpose was clear—to provide Gaelic football in a safe, affordable and inclusive environment. From that foundation, the club has grown into one of the largest and most active Gaelic football structures in Scotland.

Pride on the pitch

Success on the field has been an important part of the club’s journey. Early breakthroughs came via youth teams, with the Under-16s winning the British Championship in 1998—a moment that signalled what was possible when young players are supported properly. Senior success followed, including Scottish Senior Championship titles in 2001 and 2012, League Championships in the early 2000s, and more recent Intermediate and Junior League and Championship doubles.

These trophies matter, but what matters just as much is how they were achieved—through player development, volunteer commitment and a pathway that allows people to progress at their own pace. The Junior teams continue to provide a vital bridge for young adults stepping into Senior Football, while the Senior Men’s and Ladies’ teams represent the highest level of competition the club has ever sustained.

The establishment of the Ladies’ team in 2021 was a proud milestone, reflecting the club’s belief that Gaelic Football should be accessible to everyone. It has already become a key part of the club’s identity and future.

Youth at the heart of it all

Youth development has always been and remains Harps’ cornerstone. From nursery football through to under-18 level, their young players train, learn and compete in an environment that prioritises enjoyment, respect and growth. Their teams regularly take part in GAA blitzes across Scotland, while also travelling further afield to Ireland and England, giving players unforgettable experiences, cultural connections and friendships that extend well beyond Glasgow.

“Tír Conaill Harps has given me far more than football over the years,” Coaching Officer, Danny McGowan explained. “It gave me opportunities to play the sport I love, but just as importantly it gave me connections, experiences and friendships that have stayed with me for life. That’s the real strength of Tír Conaill Harps. At its heart, this club is about nurturing new generations not just as players, but in health, friendship and community. If we keep doing that, the rest will always take care of itself.”

These trips and blitzes are about more than football. They build confidence, independence and a sense of belonging to something bigger. Many of the club’s current adult players still talk about their first blitz in Ireland or England as a defining moment in their relationship with the club.

Harps’ links with local schools continue to introduce Gaelic football to new audiences, ensuring that the next generation always has a pathway into the Harps, regardless of background or experience.

A club for everyone

“What makes Tír Conaill Harps special is that it goes far beyond the game itself,” parents representative Julia Howard said. “The club actively welcomes people who may never have played GAA before and creates space for them to feel part of something meaningful from the very start. Through our links with music, including Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, and our strong connections to the wider Irish community in Glasgow, Tír Conaill Harps offers a social and cultural home as much as a sporting one. For families, that broader ethos of inclusion, culture and shared experience is incredibly important.”

One of the most encouraging developments in recent years has been the growth of the club’s Sunday afternoon introductory sessions, including the hugely popular ‘Mothers and Others’ programme. These sessions have opened the door to people who may never have considered joining a GAA club before parents, beginners and those simply looking for a fun, social way to stay active.

The laughter, camaraderie and enthusiasm at these sessions perfectly capture what those at Harps believe community sport should look like—welcoming, inclusive and pressure-free. They have also strengthened the family atmosphere that defines Tír Conaill Harps, with parents now participating alongside their children rather than watching from the sidelines.

So what does Harps’ community reach look like in practice? Over the last year the club have proudly supported 125 junior players, 60 senior men and 30 women who have all donned the green and yellow jerseys.

When more than 300 people came together for a family day in September, it was a powerful reminder of just how far the club’s community reach extends.

Culture, community and care

Harps’ sense of identity extends beyond the pitch. The club is proud participants in the Glasgow St Patrick’s Festival Parade, where members of all ages represent the club and celebrate Irish culture in the heart of the city. It is a powerful moment each year, one that reinforces Harps’ role as cultural ambassadors as well as a sporting organisation.

They have also taken their responsibilities seriously when it comes to wellbeing. The club has raised funds for mental health charities, recognising the importance of open conversation, support and care particularly within sport. These efforts reflect values that run through everything they do—looking after one another and understanding that community strength depends on compassion as much as competition.

Looking ahead

If the Harps’ past is something to be proud of, the future feels especially exciting. Few moments captured that sense of pride better than seeing long-standing club member Danny McGowan pull on the famous Donegal jersey as part of the Donegal County Masters team. For those who know the commitment Danny has given to the club over many years it was an important recognition.

That connection has now opened an extraordinary door. In March 2026, Harps’ Senior Men’s team has been invited to attend and play at the Donegal Diaspora Celebration in Philadelphia, USA—an honour that recognises not only the club’s sporting standards but its role within the global Donegal and Irish diaspora. It is an opportunity that speaks volumes about how far the club has come and how highly it is regarded.

Closer to home, Harps are also deepening their cultural offering. At the end of last month, the club kicked off its monthly traditional Irish music sessions in its clubhouse in Cambuslang. These sessions are open to the entire community—musicians, listeners and newcomers alike—and reflect the belief that the club should be a shared cultural space, not just a sporting one.

Getting involved?

Looking ahead, the club’s message is simple—there is a place for everyone at Tír Conaill Harps. Youth training runs weekly across all age groups, from nursery to under-18. Adult teams train midweek, with competitive fixtures across the Scottish GAA calendar. Mothers and Others introductory sessions take place on Sunday afternoons and require no prior experience. Social, cultural and volunteering opportunities are always available for those who want to contribute off the pitch.

Anyone interested in getting involved whether as a player, parent, volunteer or supporter can find full details at www.tirconaillharps.com or contact the club directly via: info@tirconaillharps.com. New members are always welcome.

More than 30 years on, Tír Conaill Harps remains what it has always aspired to be—a club built by people, sustained by families and shaped by community. From youth blitzes to championship wins, from Sunday afternoons to Philadelphia in March, this is a story that everyone involved with the club is proud to keep writing together.