Silverbridge Harps GAC

Silverbridge Harps GAC Notes

What a difference a week makes in football! Last week a dismal performance against Rangers and two defeats at the hands of Mullaghbawn in the previous two games left a feeling of pessimism and despair. This week the team bounced back with two great wins against Maghery and St Michael’s to double the points tally for the season and provide hope for the remainder of the season.

Silverbridge 3-11 Maghery 1-10

A goal in the final minute of the first half from midfielder, Peter Burns, was probably the key moment in this high scoring entertaining game on Friday night last. Up to that point the scoring was very much point for point but then the usual scorers, Ciaran Conlon and Damian McCann became the providers and supplied Burns running through the middle and he duly finished to the net to leave the half time score 1-5 to 0-4 in favour of the home side.

The aforementioned McCann and Conlon contributed handsomely to the score but it was Liam Campbell who stole the honours in the second half with two goals and a point. His first goal midway through the second half was a solo effort, cutting in from the left corner and finding the net from a narrow angle. Others to impress were senior debutants Anthony Mallie and Brendan Byrne, both of whom relished their first start in senior football.

Silverbridge: K McVerry, A Mallie, P McCreesh, S O’Leary, C Reel, N Reel, N Traynor, C McAvoy, P Burns(1-0), D McCann(0-6), B Campbell, S Murphy(0-1), C Conlon(0-3), B Byrne, L Campbell(2-1).  Subs: F Smyth, T Mallie.

St Michael’s 0-10 Silverbridge 1-12.

A five point win was a satisfying outcome from this away fixture, but such was the possession that the wasteful Silverbridge forwards enjoyed the game really should have been won by a much greater margin. With Pete McCreesh dominant at full back and Barry Campbell pulling the strings at centre half forward, the visiting ‘Bridge side looked like winners all the way through but the wayward shooting, a disallowed goal and a shot from Peter Burns that cannoned off the crossbar kept the margin at an uncomfortable level until the dying minutes.

At half time the scores were level at five points each with the all important goal coming ten minutes into the second half. Peter Burns made as great block along the sideline and burst forward before feeding the in-form Liam Campbell. Campbell netted his third goal in two games to put some daylight between the sides. Newtown responded with a couple of points but Ciaran Conlon slotted over twice before Nicholas Traynor and Cormac McAvoy ensured victory with the final scores of the game.

Silverbridge: K McVerry, A Mallie, P McCreesh, S O’Leary, C Reel, N Reel, N Traynor(0-1), C McAvoy(0-2), P Burns, D McCann(0-2), B Campbell, S Murphy, C Conlon(0-5), B Byrne, L Campbell(1-2). Subs: T Mallie, F Smyth, C Campbell.

Ladies Football

The seniors had a somewhat fortuitous win over Sarsfields by the narrowest of margins on Saturday evening whilst the under 14 side were heavily defeated by a strong St Pat’s side on Monday. Both teams play in the championship this week with the under 14’s playing Killeavy at home on Monday and the seniors playing Eire Og on Saturday evening.

Social Activity

Irish Traditional music continues on each Friday night in the Wee Bar. On Saturday 18th June, The Last Word play in the Wee Bar.

Posters are now up around the country for the open air gala on Saturday 9th July featuring The Sawdoctors, The Devlins, The Conway Sisters and The Untouchables. It is sad to report that the posters have been removed from their sites in the village of Knockbridge. Perhaps the good citizens of Knockbridge (or some thereof) don’t agree with the concept of voluntary workers giving up their time and energy to raise funds to provide better playing facilities for our youth.

There will be an executive meeting on Tuesday night at 9pm.