Derrygonnelly Harps ladies got their U-16 league campaign off to a solid start after a well deserved victory over Ederney on Monday night.  The catalyst for this victory lay in the industrious half forward line, who literally worked their socks off in the opening 30 minutes, with Kim Higgins notably putting all her energies into winning break ball at mid field and laying it off to her forwards.  Newcomer Catherine Kelly will win all the headlines following a stunning debut where she netted an individual tally of 3-3 but contributed to many more scores for the Harps.

Playing against the wind, the Harps led at half time 2-2 to 0-1 and had played some very good passages of football.  Kerry McGullion had a very soldi first half at full back with Erin Flanagan at centre half back working well alongside sister Coleen who made a very industrious debut and di nothing wrong.

An injury to Kim Higgins meant some changes for the second half with Emma Leonard moving into the half forward role with Louise Moore introduced at midfield to partner Becky Gordan.  The midfield duo played very well in the second half and racked up a number of good scores, with Emma Leonard, Claire Greene and Niamh McManus contributing to the scoreboard.

All in all it was a very impressive performance from a team out playing together for the first time.  Keeper Emer McConnell had an excellent game, and her kickouts were very good.  An assured full back line of Abigaile Greene, Kerry McGullion and Rachel Jones excelled and kept the Ederney attack at bay while Kerri McGovern played a blinder at wing half-back.  A late injury to Erin Flanagan dampened the party mood a little but the Harps girls went home happy! 

 

 

 

The Harps ladies travelled to Garrison for a tough encounter with neighbours and rivals Devenish but came away with a well earned win.  It was a tough and gritty encounter with the referee allowing the game to flow even with rash challenges being the order of the day!!  The Harps girls started brightly with Emma Leonard and Catherine Kelly on target early on, and the Harps built up a staedy lead in the first half to lead 2-6 to 2-0 lead but the score for the Harps should have been much higher but for some wayward shooting from the Harps.  Kim Higgins had a great game at centre-half back and her reading of the game was exceptional while marking the Devenish's best player on the night.  The midfield duo of Becky Gordon and Louise Moore held their own with both players moving forward at every opportunity and taking some good scores.

In the second half, the Harps suffered a setback, as two quick goals allowed devenish back into the game, but the Harps responded admirably, with Niamh Cassidy netting before Claire Greene again found the net to put the Harps well and truley back in the ascendancy.  Despite a late flurry of scores from Devenish, the Harps held out for seventh heaven victory!  The goalkeeper, Emer McConnell was under immense pressure in the second half but made several excellent saves to keep her team in the game. The full back line of McGullion, Greene and Jones in particular mopped up all the pressure and drove out well.  Kerri McGovern once again put in a sterling performance at wing half back, her tackling in the vital last ten minutes broke down numerous attacks and set up the Harps attack.  She was ably assisted by Coleen Flanagan on the other wing who had a sound game and gave her marker nothing. Midfield worked tirelessly all night while Emma Leonard played a captain's role and covered every blade of grass on the pitch, helping out her defence when needed in those closing stages. Catherine Kelly once again played very well with Niamh Cassidy and Claire Greene contributing to an overall excellent team performance.  Things are looking up for the girls!!