After a successful league campaign, all focus turned to championship action for Tir Conaill Harps.

The men opened their championship run with a home tie against familiar foes, Stirling Carrigans – the same side they edged out in a tightly fought league final. Carrigans came into the match hungry for revenge, but missing several key players they struggled to impose themselves.

Harps, by contrast, burst out of the blocks and controlled the game from start to finish. While Stirling managed to notch a goal of their own, the Harps were dominant throughout, racking up an impressive scoreline.

Full-time: Tir Conaill Harps 3-18, Stirling Carrigans 1-04.

Next up came the Ladies Junior Shield final – and what a contest it proved to be. The Harps ladies have made huge strides this year, highlighted by their historic first-ever victory earlier in the season against Stirling Carrigans.

Unfortunately, a disrupted fixture list meant they had fewer matches than hoped, but they saved their best for the Junior Shield final against city rivals Glasgow Gaels.

The Harps dominated the first half with outstanding performances all over the pitch, storming into a commanding 12-point lead. They looked well on course for silverware, though a series of missed goal chances – opting instead for points – would later prove costly.

The second half saw a dramatic turnaround. The Gaels, using all their experience, clawed their way back into the game, netting twice to spark a fierce comeback. Despite Harps briefly levelling with a late goal in stoppage time, the Gaels responded instantly with a decisive goal of their own and an insurance point to seal a dramatic victory.

It was a cruel end for the Harps after such a dominant start, but the performance underlined the team’s progress. With youth and talent on their side, the signs are all pointing upwards for next season.

Full-time: Tir Conaill Harps 3-10, Glasgow Gaels 5-08.

Round two of the men’s championship brought another derby showdown against Glasgow Gaels – and it turned into a nail-biter.

Harps started brightly and, even after being reduced to 14 men following a second yellow card for Conor McIvor, they struck a huge blow when Andrew Shanahan weaved through the Gaels defence before calmly slotting home a goal. That gave the Harps a narrow half-time lead, 1-05 to 0-06.

The second half opened with Phil Lambert landing a sensational two-point free from outside the 40-metre arc, but the Harps’ discipline was tested again when Aedan Kerr saw black for a professional foul. Down to 13 men, the Harps defended bravely as Gaels closed the gap, before Dan Gallagher steadied nerves with a crucial free.

With Kerr back on the field, Harps looked set to grind out a win. But deep into stoppage time disaster struck. A high ball into the square wasn’t cleared, and the Gaels pounced to snatch a vital goal and a one-point lead.

There was still time for late drama – Gallagher’s long-range free from beyond the 40 meter arc dropped just short, and in the dying moments Lambert had the chance to level, only to see his shot drift wide before the final whistle sounded.

It was a gut-wrenching result for the Harps, who battled heroically despite playing much of the match a man down. The players can take pride in their effort, but will know it was a missed opportunity. With two championship games left, nothing less than victory will do if they are to keep their hopes of reaching the intermediate championship final alive.

Full-time: Tir Conaill Harps 1-10, Glasgow Gaels 1-11.

The trip to the capital to face Dunedin Connollys was billed as a must-win, and Harps wasted no time in stamping their authority on proceedings. Conor McCormick opened the scoring with a well-taken two-pointer before Phil Lambert followed up with a two pointer of his own from a free to give Harps an early four-point cushion.

Connollys responded with two points of their own, but after just 12 minutes Aidan Brennan rattled the net with the first goal of the day. That set the tone as Harps went on a run, Kieran Turner notching his first and McCormick adding another brace from frees. Ethan Friel closed the half with a fine score, leaving Harps with a commanding 10-point lead at the interval.

Connollys, however, were not about to roll over. A quick-fire goal and two unanswered points after the restart suddenly cut the gap to five, and the hosts looked poised for a comeback. Just as nerves were beginning to creep in, Turner steadied Harps with another score before Lambert found the net to restore breathing space.

Connollys grabbed a second goal later on, but the tie was effectively over after the 50-minute mark when Lambert netted his second and Friel added another moments later after which the Harps saw out the game comfortably.

Full-time: Dunedin Connollys 2-08, Tir Conaill Harps 4-18

Despite knowing that a defeat in the final group game could still see them through, manager Shaun Callaghan left no doubt in his players’ minds: only victory would do.

Both Harps and Dalriada started nervously, with early wides at either end, before Phil Lambert opened the scoring. Conor McIvor quickly followed up, but Dalriada struck back with the first goal of the contest to take the lead. Brennan responded in style, hitting the net at the eight-minute mark, and soon after Dan Gallagher converted a free.

Dalriada hit a purple patch midway through the half, firing over five unanswered points to turn the game in their favour and take a two point lead. Harps dug deep however, with Conn and Dan McGeever both finding their range, before McIvor landed an outstanding two-pointer. A late score from Matthew Maginn ensured Harps carried a three-point advantage into the break.

Brennan struck again early in the second half with his second goal, extending Harps’ lead to six. Even a black card for Conn McGeever, which reduced Harps to 14 men, could not derail their momentum. Instead, Harps surged further ahead, Lambert grabbing another goal while Gallagher and Lambert added further points.

Dalriada managed just a single late score in stoppage time—their only point of the half—as Harps closed out the game in dominant fashion.

Full-time: Dalriada 1-08, Tir Conaill Harps 3-15