The 2025 season kicked off with a blend of triumph, grit, and growing optimism for Tir Conaill Harps, as both the Ladies and Men’s teams took to the pitch in a series of early league fixtures that offered glimpses of potential for the campaign ahead.

Tir Conaill Harps Ladies made an emphatic start to their Junior League, securing a historic first-ever win in dominant fashion against newly formed Stirling Carrigans. In what can only be described as a statement performance, the 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.

The Men's team kicked off their league campaign on the road against new kids on the block Stirling Carrigans. With a number of key players unavailable for the trip it was always going to be a tough game. Despite the absences, the Harps put on a battling display in what was a closely contested affair. After trailing for most of the game, the team finally edged in front with a well-taken penalty. Stirling, however, responded immediately with a couple of decisive goals, snatching the win 4-09 to 3-07. While the result was disappointing, the character shown by the depleted squad offered encouragement for the games ahead.

Things didn’t get any easier for the Men as they faced Glasgow Gaels’ senior side. 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.

Confidence was high heading into round two as the Harps ladies hosted Dunedin Connollys. Building on momentum from their opening game, the Harps started brightly and struck first with an early goal. However, Connollys gradually asserted their dominance, overturning the early deficit and heading into halftime with a lead. Despite a spirited first-half showing, the visitors proved too strong after the break, running out comfortable winners 11-18 to 1-05. While the result was a setback, the Harps showed glimpses of promise that they’ll look to build on.

Next up for the men was a round 3 game against the current senior champions Dunedin Connollys. While the task was immense, the Harps rose to the occasion, going toe-to-toe with the champions for most of the match. In a fiercely competitive contest, the Harps battled point-for-point and showed that, at full strength, they are more than capable of competing with the best. Ultimately, Dunedin’s experience told in the closing stages, as they edged out a win 2-16 to 1-13, but the Harps emerged with their heads held high and a growing sense of belief.

The Under-15s also got their season underway with a championship opener at home to Glasgow Gaels. For many of the Harps players, it was their first-ever game of Gaelic football. The Gaels controlled much of the first half, but to their credit, the young Harps refused to let their heads drop. A superb second-half performancesaw them outscore their opponents after the break. While the damage had already been done, the final score of 5-05 to 7-11 revealed plenty of potential in this emerging group.

For the Ladies, the goal is clear: continue their steady improvement with each game. The team has already demonstrated flashes of brilliance and, and you can see the improvements with each passing game. This is a side building in confidence and stature.

Meanwhile, the Men will look to build momentum now that they’ve faced the two strongest sides in the league. With their most challenging tests behind them, the focus shifts to converting strong performances into points on the board.

The U-15’s boys will have to put the opening defeat behind them and use their second half performance as a foundation in which to build from. There is far more to come from this team yet.