Tir Conaill Harps started the Championship with a home game against Dunedin Connollys. The match began with a flurry of action as Dunedin Connollys quickly opened the scoring with a goal, only for Tir Conaill Harps to immediately respond with one of their own. The Harps then added two quick points to take a narrow lead, but this would be their last score of the half. Dunedin Connollys seized the momentum, earning a penalty after one of their players was brought down in front of goal, which they converted to regain the lead. Connollys then asserted their dominance, scoring six unanswered points, while the Harps missed a crucial goal opportunity just before halftime with the Connollys defence holding firm. Tir Conaill Harps started the second half strongly with a goal, narrowing the gap further with a few more points. However, as the game progressed, Connollys regained control, while the Harps began to fade. Despite a determined push for a late goal, the Connollys defence stood strong, securing a four-point victory.

Round two saw Tir Conaill Harps take on Sands MacSwineys in a must-win encounter. The game began with a moment of reflection, with a minute’s silence held in memory of former Tir Conaill Harps manager and Sands MacSwineys player Dave Kellet, who sadly passed away in July. The Harps began the game in explosive fashion, scoring the first goal of the match before following it up with two more points before Sands could even register on the scoreboard. Harps maintained their dominance, adding a string of goals, putting Sands on the back foot. Although Sands managed to score a goal against the run of play, Harps quickly responded with their fourth goal, continuing to dictate the tempo.

Even as Sands put two more goals past the Harps’ defence, they struggled to make a dent in the game, as Harps racked up points with ease. The match ended 3-04 to 5-17 in favour of the Harps, who left little doubt as to their superior form.

It was the ladies turn next as they took on Glasgow Gaels in the Junior Championship Shield Final. It was a difficult season with regards to points on the board for the team but in regards to performance the ladies have taken huge strides forward. With the final itself, the  scoreline on the day may not have been what they had been hoping for but the girls still had smiles on their faces at full time. The improvement this year has been vast, and in time the results will come, but this team are a credit to the club and epitomise what it means to be a Harp! The results are important but not nearly as much as the friendships made and the fun had along the way. We can’t wait for next year!

Next up was Glasgow Gaels Juniors. In a stunning display of football, Tir Conaill Harps crushed Glasgow Gaels with a landslide victory. The Harps set the tone early, racing to a 0-07 lead without any response from the Gaels. When Gaels finally scored their first point, it reduced the gap to six, but Harps immediately hit back with a point of their own. Glasgow managed one more point to make it 0-02 to 0-08, but this would be their last contribution to the scoreboard.

The Harps turned up the heat, adding two goals before halftime, leaving the score at 0-02 to 3-10. The second half was even more one-sided, with the Harps scoring an unanswered 5-12 to round off a devastating 8-22 to 0-02 triumph.

Round 3 saw Harps take on Gaels again, this time against their Intermediate team. This game would turn out to be a much tighter affair. The Harps started well, scoring four points before the Gaels managed to get on the scoreboard. Harps extended their lead to six points as frustrations boiled over for the Gaels, leading to the dismissal of their goalkeeper after a confrontation with the umpire.

Despite being down a player, the Gaels showed resilience, scoring two unanswered points before halftime to leave the score at 0-08 to 0-04. However, the break allowed Harps to regain focus, and they came out firing, scoring five quick points to stretch their lead to nine. Though the Gaels rallied late, it wasn’t enough to overcome the Harps, who sealed the victory with a 0-15 to 0-08 scoreline and a crucial win in their championship campaign.

In the final group match of the championship, Tir Conaill Harps faced an away trip to play Dalriada, knowing that only a win would secure their place in the intermediate final. Aberdeen has historically been a tough venue for the Harps, but they started strongly, scoring the first two points of the game. However, Dalriada quickly responded with a goal and a point to bring the game level. The first half saw both teams exchanging blows, but Harps were guilty of some poor finishing, missing several chances to score, including two golden opportunities infront of goal. Harps eventually managed to grab a crucial goal just before halftime, but Dalriada still held a narrow one-point lead at the break.

In the second half, Tir Conaill Harps came out with renewed determination, immediately wiping out Dalriada's lead and going ahead. From there, they never looked back, building a five-point cushion. Dalriada did pull a goal back to reduce the deficit, but Harps quickly responded with a goal of their own, sealing the win with a late third goal that ended Dalriada's hopes of a comeback.

The final score, 2-07 to 3-15, secured the Harps a place in the intermediate final, where they will face Glasgow Gaels.