Harps crowned Intermediate League Champions after epic battle

IF THE Senior Men’s League Football Final was a spectacle, then the Intermediate equivalent the following day—also held in Dawson Park in Dundee—was no less exciting.

Stirling Carrigans may well be the newest team in the Scotland GAA set-up but they’ve more than proved that they aren’t just here to make up the numbers, making the final at the first time of asking by defeating Dunedin Connollys Intermediates in the semis. They had also racked up an impressive win over Tír Conaill Harps Intermediates earlier on in the league so would have come into the match brimming with confidence.

Harps, however, are no strangers to finals down throughout the years and topped the Intermediate A League table with impressive wins over the Intermediate sides of Connollys, Glasgow Gaels and Dalriada. A three-point loss against Connollys Senior team showed just how capable Tír Conaill are in terms of competing at the highest level of Gaelic Football in Scotland. Their points scored column—including a massive 17 goals—was also the second best in the country and pointed to their ruthless efficiency in front of the posts.

The game began in lively fashion with Carrigans drawing first blood through Eddie Walsh after a good period of possession. Harps, however, responded a matter of minutes later through Dan Gallagher. A fantastic save from Tír Conaill goalkeeper Ciarán Gildea prevented Stirling from taking a three-point lead. However, Odhran O’Connell—who helped himself to four points on the day—nudged Carrigans back in front with a well-taken left footed effort after a well-worked move.

Harps responded to this mini setback by firing a shot of their own at the Stirling goal through Dan McGeever, but it was brilliantly saved by Christopher Quinn. The Glasgow side eventually got their noses in front after an excellent two-point effort from Conor McCormick. He then turned provider for Gallagher who curled over a beautiful score. Connlá McCarthy replied for Stirling with a two-pointer to level the match, highlighting the tit-for-tat nature of the scoring.

There was then a break in play as Carrigans’ Ronan Bergin received treatment and then, as if to add insult to injury, Bergin was penalised for overcarrying and Harps took full advantage through Ethan Friel chipping in for a tidy score. Stirling, however, wrestled the advantage back through an Ethan Costello goal attempt which flew over the bar. After another goal attempt went wide from Liam Heron, O’Connell struck again with a well-taken point from a tight angle after an impressive turnover. He then set-up his teammate McCarthy for the first goal of the game.

Harps experience at this level told, though, as they kept the scoreboard ticking over through McCormick and both sides added another point apiece leaving Stirling with a three-point lead as the players left the field at half-time. As if to emphasise the passion and competitive nature of the game, Tír Conaill’s Danny McGeever received a black card after a fracas after the whistle blew.

When the teams took to the field once again in the second-half, it was Harps who came out of the blocks flying, rattling off two points in quick succession to make it a one-point game. A brilliant block by Gildea on the goal-line prevented Carrigan from scoring their second goal of the game, but they did extend their lead through Costello shortly afterwards.

Frustration boiled over on the sideline for Stirling as manager, Stephen Treacey, was red-carded for dissent following his reaction to his side’s second 3x3 breach of the game. Harps, meanwhile, hit back with a well-taken free from Gallagher, but disaster struck for the Glasgow side when Gildea was forced off with an injury. Christopher McGrory stepped into the breach.

Then came what many watching felt was the defining period of the game. A clever handpass from McGeever over the Carrigans’ defence was caught by Gallagher who smashed the ball into the back of the net to give Tír Conaill the lead.

The two sides continued to trade points as the game became increasingly scrappy, with many cheap frees being given away. Stirling were testing Harps’ goal, with McCarthy being foiled by McGrory and Michael Howarth, while a cynical foul by Aedan Kerr—resulting in a red-card—prevented Carrigans from going back in front.

As the clock ticked down, the last kickout of the game was won by Tír Conaill’s Phil Lambert, who held onto possession and ensured that the Glasgow side emerged victorious—after a match that had drama and talking points in spades—by a scoreline of 1-13 to 1-11.

PICS: CHRIS COLL