Silverbridge Harps GAC

Silverbridge Harps GAC Notes

U14

Pride of place this week rests with our U14 squad who, from last Tuesday night, are worthy champions of their division.

The championship decider was scheduled for Tuesday evening 29th June in Crossmaglen. The Silverbridge Harps team progressed to the final with wins over Lissummon and Corrinshigo and went to Cross determined to defeat Culloville and take the cup home to the Bridge.

This was a very exciting, heart-stopping game of Gaelic football played by two competitive teams who gave their all for the whole game and thrilled the many supporters and spectators who came to urge them on.

Culloville had not a full squad so the teams played 13 a side. Culloville got off to a great start with a point from a free, followed by a goal.  Our lads then went into determined mode and with classy team play moved the ball into the forwards and Marty Connolly claimed his first goal. Thomas McKenna, Cathal Lambe and Brian (Bob) Hearty won a lot of possession around the middle of the field and drove the ball forward or passed it back and forward until they were in scoring position. Thomas was in brilliant scoring form and was top scorer on the night and Cathal and Bob also claimed their scores. Poor Bob’s new hair colour was tinted red by the end of the night!!  Ollie Hearty, Séamus Hearty, Paul McNamee, Kevin O’Neill and Ciarán Maguire formed a wall the Culloville forwards found difficult to scale and time and again their shots were forced wide. Goalie Christopher Campbell played his part too defending his area skilfully and kicking the ball well clear of danger.

Peter Carragher, Declan Gollogly and Christopher Rowland tackled and harried for every ball and provided great support play. Subs Dean Martin and Thomas Walsh quickly got into the game when they came on.

The Bridge had built up a good lead by half time but Culloville came back at them just after the break with a quick goal and for a short time they were able to win more of the ball. The Bridge lads soon upped a gear and in wonderful team cooperation got two goals and a few more points, and by 8 40 pm the cup was theirs and was carried home to the Bridge in cavalcade by their proud parents and supporters. Well done lads and congratulation to Gerry Smyth and Liam Murphy for their commitment and hard work all year, and Liam Smyth who helped out on the night. Thanks also to the Culloville lads for making this such a great match. The final score was 4-11 to 2-10

League action continues this week with Forkhill coming to the Bridge on Tuesday night.

Seniors

The senior team played St Michael’s on Thursday evening in Newtown. The Bridge were slow off the mark and Newtown took advantage opening up the defence to score 1-2 in the first minutes of the match.  Cormac McAvoy got a good point from play and Brendan Bellew put over another point soon afterwards and the team settled into the game.  Throughout the half Newtown were quicker on the break but the Bridge backs worked hard and at times forced the home side to kick wide of the mark. Newtown, however, managed to find the back of the net shortly before the break to give them a good lead at half time. The Bridge got a point shortly after the restart but Newtown kept the pressure on and, even though they had a player sent off in the 6th minute, they were able to maintain their lead.  The Bridge got some good points and Liam Campbell scored a much-needed goal but it just wasn’t enough.  The final score was 2-14 to 1-11.  On Friday night Dromintee provide the opposition in the Bridge.

B Team

The B’s will play Mullaghbawn in Mullaghbawn on Wednesday evening at 8pm.

Minors

The minors hosted Cavanakill in their first match of the championship last Monday night and proceeded to the next round.  This was a game where forwards and midfield all scored, backs defended well, and the outcome was never in doubt. Cavankill tried hard and made our team earn their scores but they were always playing catch-up. Eugene Burns opened the scoring for the Bridge with a sweet goal.  He had a good night getting 2-3 in total and was ably assisted by Brendan Maguire Brendan Burns, Ciarán Conlon, Seamie Martin, Ciarán Lambe, Mickey Reel Colum Traynor and Ciarán Martin all of whom scored. The backs led by Anthony Mallie held solid and tackled well. By the end they had built up a lead of 6-15 to 0-7.  This week’s game is away to Dromintee.

U 16

The U16s also played Cavankill last week and they, too, had the best of the encounter. By half time they had built up a good lead and played even better in the second half, scoring another 2-6 and allowing the home team to only score two points in the half hour. Colm and Paul Hughes, Niall Traynor and Eugene Burns gave great performances. The final score was 4-12 to 1-5.

This Thursday they play Crossmaglen in the championship at 7 30pm in Cullyhanna and look forward to your support.

U 12

The U12s had a hard match against Shane O’Neills on Saturday afternoon. They did not play to their potential in the first half and at the break were well behind. They played a mighty second half and managed to draw level at one stage but let things slip and Shane O’Neills ran out the winners. Seamie Kelly, Gary Martin and Martin Hearty had a good game and the rest of the team had a good second half.  Training as usual on Thursday at 6 15pm.

U 10

The U10 team played St Pats on Sunday and although they lost they had a good match. Goalie Aidan Quinn was superb, all the backs played tremendously and midfield worked hard but the forwards were a little disappointing.  This is a very young team but they are improving all the time and hope by the end of the season to have improved their position on the league table.

Lotto

The numbers for last Monday were 7, 14, 17 and 30. Two people matched three and won £100 each.  The jackpot will be £6,200 or €9,300 this week.

Wee Bar

Mickey the Butcher will be in the “Wee Bar” on this Friday night 9th July to serve up some ceol agus craic. See you there for some great entertainment.

Tickets for Ulster Final

Tickets can be purchased on Monday and Tuesday nights at 9 30 pm in the clubrooms. Tuesday night will be the last opportunity to buy tickets in the club as any extra tickets must be returned to the County Board on Wednesday. Tickets will not be held over.  All tickets must be paid for on the night.