Tír Conaill Harps
Encyclopedia
Tír Conaill Harps Gaelic Athletics Club (GAC) is a Gaelic Athletic Association
(GAA) Club based in Glasgow
, Scotland
. The club plays Gaelic Football
, Ladies' Gaelic Football
as well as Camogie
and Women's Shinty
. The club is the biggest GAA club in Scotland in terms of structure and has a fully integrated youth system fielding teams for all age groups. The club's colours are green and gold.
Tir Conaill is the Irish for land of Connell, an ancient name for the area now mostly known as County Donegal
in the north west of Ireland. This reflects the long tradition of people from there settling in the area. A number of members and players have family links to the county.
Tir Conaill Harps is a community based registered charity which provides opportunities for young people to play and enjoy the gaelic and celtic sports of Gaelic football
, Hurling
, Camogie
, Women's Shinty
and Ladies' Gaelic Football
.
The club welcome new members regardless of their ability or age. The club also provides access to a wide range of coaching and personal development opportunities for its members.
Mission Statement - To strengthen communities in Glasgow
through the provision of Gaelic Sports for young people in an affordable, safe and fun environment.
Competition for Gaelic Football
honours in recent years has seen the side build up a fierce and competitive rivalry with both local rivals, Glaschu Gaels and inter-city rivals Dúnedin Connolly
.
home games at the GAA
owned Pearse Park
in Cambuslang
. Formally known as East Field. The Park was the first GAA sports field in Glasgow and was made possible by the great efforts of Eoin "Owenie" Kelly from County Fermanagh. After the park was condemned for health and safety reasons by the GAA the club moved to Nethercraigs Sports Complex
, Corkerhill using a Rugby pitch. The club has a strong anti-drugs policy and as a reward for such a gaelic ground was constructed by Glasgow City Council in Bellahouston Park
for the club to play their home matches. However the poor playing surface had seen the club forced to remain at nearby Nethercraigs
. Early in the 2009 season, following a reversal of the GAA's previous decision the Harps moved from their temporary home at Nethercraigs
and returned to their previous home ground Pearse Park
.
The Women's Shinty
team play their home games at the Glasgow City Council owned Peterson Park, in the Glasgow
district of Yoker
. The team share the pitch with Glasgow Mid Argyll
, who field two Men's and two Women's Shinty
teams.
The club captain is currently Connor Manning. Other notable players include Anton Gallagher, Seán Rafter, Adrian Diver and Paul Doohan. In 2007 Tír Conaill Harps has formed a link up with Glasgow Caledonian University GAC
which sees university players compete at club level for the Harps. Players to feature for both sides include John Lyttle, Chris Pendergast
, Eoghan Quinn, Gavin O'Kane, Cathal O'Kane, Mickey Mullan, Paddy McCauley and John O'Neill
The Harps won their first major honours in the 2001 season, lifting the League and Championship. This was followed by a league win the following year. The following years however saw Harps unable to match their previous success having to wait a further fours years before lifting another trophy when they won the 2006 Michael Davitt Shield.
The Harps were to enter another difficult spell ending the 2007 and 2008 season trophyless. The club had been without a manager since early in the 2007 and the team was organised by the senior players. Harps recruited management duo and former Mulroy Gaels players, Stephen McFadden as manager and Michael Coyle as assistant manager. The team started the 2009 season brightly under the new management team beating Dúnedin Connolly
in the Michael Davitt Shield Quarter-Final in Portobello
. This was the Harps first victory over the Edinburgh
side in 7 years. The good form was continued as they defeated the new Aberdeen/Dundee side at Stirling Universityto book a place in the final.
On 30 April 2009, the Harps ended their three year trophy drought by lifting the Davitt Shield
by beating city-rivals Glaschu Gaels 1-10 to 1-06 at Coatbridge
.
The team formed as a Camogie
team in 1995 but due to lack of competition the club decided to set up a Shinty
team. The team has had much success in recent years in recruiting players and currently field two teams, with one competing in the National Division 1 and the second competing in South Division Two.
The club won the Valerie Fraser Trophy
for the first time in 2008 beating Glengarry
in the final.http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/851166?UserKey=. They followed this up by finishing as runners up in both the Valerie Fraser Trophy
and National Division One league in 2009 http://www.spanglefish.com/WomensShinty/index.asp?pageid=66345
Gaelic Athletic Association
The Gaelic Athletic Association is an amateur Irish and international cultural and sporting organisation focused primarily on promoting Gaelic games, which include the traditional Irish sports of hurling, camogie, Gaelic football, handball and rounders...
(GAA) Club based in Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. The club plays Gaelic Football
Gaelic football
Gaelic football , commonly referred to as "football" or "Gaelic", or "Gah" is a form of football played mainly in Ireland...
, Ladies' Gaelic Football
Ladies' Gaelic football
Ladies' Gaelic football is a team sport for women, very similar to Gaelic football, and co-ordinated by the Ladies' Gaelic Football Association...
as well as Camogie
Camogie
Camogie is an Irish stick-and-ball team sport played by women; it is almost identical to the game of hurling played by men. Camogie is played by 100,000 women in Ireland and world wide, largely among Irish communities....
and Women's Shinty
Shinty
Shinty is a team game played with sticks and a ball. Shinty is now played mainly in the Scottish Highlands, and amongst Highland migrants to the big cities of Scotland, but it was formerly more widespread, being once competitively played on a widespread basis in England and other areas in the...
. The club is the biggest GAA club in Scotland in terms of structure and has a fully integrated youth system fielding teams for all age groups. The club's colours are green and gold.
History
The Tír Conaill Harps club was formed in 1994 following an amicable break away from the Pearse Harps club by the underage football section, who left to form the club, at a meeting in the Govanhill Neighbourhood Centre, in Glasgow's south side.Tir Conaill is the Irish for land of Connell, an ancient name for the area now mostly known as County Donegal
County Donegal
County Donegal is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Ulster. It is named after the town of Donegal. Donegal County Council is the local authority for the county...
in the north west of Ireland. This reflects the long tradition of people from there settling in the area. A number of members and players have family links to the county.
Tir Conaill Harps is a community based registered charity which provides opportunities for young people to play and enjoy the gaelic and celtic sports of Gaelic football
Gaelic football
Gaelic football , commonly referred to as "football" or "Gaelic", or "Gah" is a form of football played mainly in Ireland...
, Hurling
Hurling
Hurling is an outdoor team game of ancient Gaelic origin, administered by the Gaelic Athletic Association, and played with sticks called hurleys and a ball called a sliotar. Hurling is the national game of Ireland. The game has prehistoric origins, has been played for at least 3,000 years, and...
, Camogie
Camogie
Camogie is an Irish stick-and-ball team sport played by women; it is almost identical to the game of hurling played by men. Camogie is played by 100,000 women in Ireland and world wide, largely among Irish communities....
, Women's Shinty
Shinty
Shinty is a team game played with sticks and a ball. Shinty is now played mainly in the Scottish Highlands, and amongst Highland migrants to the big cities of Scotland, but it was formerly more widespread, being once competitively played on a widespread basis in England and other areas in the...
and Ladies' Gaelic Football
Ladies' Gaelic football
Ladies' Gaelic football is a team sport for women, very similar to Gaelic football, and co-ordinated by the Ladies' Gaelic Football Association...
.
The club welcome new members regardless of their ability or age. The club also provides access to a wide range of coaching and personal development opportunities for its members.
Mission Statement - To strengthen communities in Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
through the provision of Gaelic Sports for young people in an affordable, safe and fun environment.
Competition for Gaelic Football
Gaelic football
Gaelic football , commonly referred to as "football" or "Gaelic", or "Gah" is a form of football played mainly in Ireland...
honours in recent years has seen the side build up a fierce and competitive rivalry with both local rivals, Glaschu Gaels and inter-city rivals Dúnedin Connolly
Dúnedin Connolly
Dúnedin Connolly GAC is a Gaelic Football club based in Edinburgh Scotland. The club takes their name from the Gaelic name for Edinburgh, Dúnedin and from the Irish political revolutionary James Connolly who was born in the city.- History :...
.
Home Ground
The club is traditionally linked with Glasgow's South side and played their Gaelic FootballGaelic football
Gaelic football , commonly referred to as "football" or "Gaelic", or "Gah" is a form of football played mainly in Ireland...
home games at the GAA
Gaelic Athletic Association
The Gaelic Athletic Association is an amateur Irish and international cultural and sporting organisation focused primarily on promoting Gaelic games, which include the traditional Irish sports of hurling, camogie, Gaelic football, handball and rounders...
owned Pearse Park
Pearse Park (Glasgow)
Pearse Park is the name given to the playing field which has become the adopted home of Gaelic Games in Scotland, situated on the main road between Cambuslang and Rutherglen on the South East side of Glasgow. The ground is named after Irish Republican revolutionary and Gaelic activist Padraig Pearse...
in Cambuslang
Cambuslang
Cambuslang is a suburban town on the south-eastern outskirts of Glasgow, Scotland. It is within the local authority area of South Lanarkshire. Historically, it was a large rural Parish incorporating nearby hamlets of Newton, Flemington, and Halfway. It is known as "the largest village in...
. Formally known as East Field. The Park was the first GAA sports field in Glasgow and was made possible by the great efforts of Eoin "Owenie" Kelly from County Fermanagh. After the park was condemned for health and safety reasons by the GAA the club moved to Nethercraigs Sports Complex
Corkerhill
Corkerhill was originally a farm and a few houses to the southwest of Glasgow, on the Paisley Canal Line from Glasgow, and still houses engine sheds and sidings, although Corkerhill signal box was demolished in the late 1970s Corkerhill was originally a farm and a few houses to the southwest of...
, Corkerhill using a Rugby pitch. The club has a strong anti-drugs policy and as a reward for such a gaelic ground was constructed by Glasgow City Council in Bellahouston Park
Bellahouston Park
Bellahouston Park is a public park in the South Side of Glasgow, Scotland, between the areas of Mosspark, Craigton, Ibrox, and Dumbreck, covering an area of . It is based around Ibrox hill in the centre, with commanding views over most of the city, exceptions being views to the east that are...
for the club to play their home matches. However the poor playing surface had seen the club forced to remain at nearby Nethercraigs
Corkerhill
Corkerhill was originally a farm and a few houses to the southwest of Glasgow, on the Paisley Canal Line from Glasgow, and still houses engine sheds and sidings, although Corkerhill signal box was demolished in the late 1970s Corkerhill was originally a farm and a few houses to the southwest of...
. Early in the 2009 season, following a reversal of the GAA's previous decision the Harps moved from their temporary home at Nethercraigs
Corkerhill
Corkerhill was originally a farm and a few houses to the southwest of Glasgow, on the Paisley Canal Line from Glasgow, and still houses engine sheds and sidings, although Corkerhill signal box was demolished in the late 1970s Corkerhill was originally a farm and a few houses to the southwest of...
and returned to their previous home ground Pearse Park
Pearse Park (Glasgow)
Pearse Park is the name given to the playing field which has become the adopted home of Gaelic Games in Scotland, situated on the main road between Cambuslang and Rutherglen on the South East side of Glasgow. The ground is named after Irish Republican revolutionary and Gaelic activist Padraig Pearse...
.
The Women's Shinty
Shinty
Shinty is a team game played with sticks and a ball. Shinty is now played mainly in the Scottish Highlands, and amongst Highland migrants to the big cities of Scotland, but it was formerly more widespread, being once competitively played on a widespread basis in England and other areas in the...
team play their home games at the Glasgow City Council owned Peterson Park, in the Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
district of Yoker
Yoker
Yoker is a western district of Glasgow, in Scotland, UK, lying on the northern bank of the Clyde to the east of Clydebank. It is located approximately 5 miles west of the City Centre. From the fourteenth century a ferry has linked Yoker with the burgh of Renfrew on the south bank...
. The team share the pitch with Glasgow Mid Argyll
Glasgow Mid Argyll
Glasgow Mid Argyll Shinty Club AKA GMA is a shinty club from Glasgow, Scotland. It is the only senior side in Glasgow and was founded in 1928. They currently play in the Premier Division as of 2010...
, who field two Men's and two Women's Shinty
Shinty
Shinty is a team game played with sticks and a ball. Shinty is now played mainly in the Scottish Highlands, and amongst Highland migrants to the big cities of Scotland, but it was formerly more widespread, being once competitively played on a widespread basis in England and other areas in the...
teams.
Senior Gaelic Football
Glasgow Caledonian University GAC
Glasgow Caledonian University GAC is the university Gaelic Football club representing Glasgow Caledonian University. The club was established by the university's Irish Student Society in 2007 and formed a link up with local club Tir Conaill Harps...
which sees university players compete at club level for the Harps. Players to feature for both sides include John Lyttle, Chris Pendergast
Chris Pendergast
Christopher-Paul Peter Pendergast BA PGDE , commonly known as Chris Pendergast is a Scottish born Gaelic Footballer of Irish descent...
, Eoghan Quinn, Gavin O'Kane, Cathal O'Kane, Mickey Mullan, Paddy McCauley and John O'Neill
The Harps won their first major honours in the 2001 season, lifting the League and Championship. This was followed by a league win the following year. The following years however saw Harps unable to match their previous success having to wait a further fours years before lifting another trophy when they won the 2006 Michael Davitt Shield.
The Harps were to enter another difficult spell ending the 2007 and 2008 season trophyless. The club had been without a manager since early in the 2007 and the team was organised by the senior players. Harps recruited management duo and former Mulroy Gaels players, Stephen McFadden as manager and Michael Coyle as assistant manager. The team started the 2009 season brightly under the new management team beating Dúnedin Connolly
Dúnedin Connolly
Dúnedin Connolly GAC is a Gaelic Football club based in Edinburgh Scotland. The club takes their name from the Gaelic name for Edinburgh, Dúnedin and from the Irish political revolutionary James Connolly who was born in the city.- History :...
in the Michael Davitt Shield Quarter-Final in Portobello
Portobello
-Places:England* Portobello, West Midlands* Portobello Road, London* Portobellow, an estate in Wakefield, West YorkshireIreland* Portobello, Dublin, IrelandNew Zealand* Portobello, New ZealandPanama* Portobelo, PanamaScotland* Portobello, Edinburgh...
. This was the Harps first victory over the Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
side in 7 years. The good form was continued as they defeated the new Aberdeen/Dundee side at Stirling Universityto book a place in the final.
On 30 April 2009, the Harps ended their three year trophy drought by lifting the Davitt Shield
Davitt Shield
The Michael Davitt Shield is a Scottish Gaelic Football pre-season tournament founded in 2001. The competition takes place in the April of each season. The trophy is named after Irish Republican activist and founder of the Irish National Land League, Michael Davitt. Glaschu Gaels were the inaugural...
by beating city-rivals Glaschu Gaels 1-10 to 1-06 at Coatbridge
Coatbridge
Coatbridge is a town in North Lanarkshire, Scotland, about east of Glasgow city centre, set in the central Lowlands. The town, with neighbouring Airdrie, is part of the Greater Glasgow urban area. The first settlement of the area stretches back to the Stone Age era...
.
Camogie & Women's Shinty
Camogie
Camogie is an Irish stick-and-ball team sport played by women; it is almost identical to the game of hurling played by men. Camogie is played by 100,000 women in Ireland and world wide, largely among Irish communities....
team in 1995 but due to lack of competition the club decided to set up a Shinty
Shinty
Shinty is a team game played with sticks and a ball. Shinty is now played mainly in the Scottish Highlands, and amongst Highland migrants to the big cities of Scotland, but it was formerly more widespread, being once competitively played on a widespread basis in England and other areas in the...
team. The team has had much success in recent years in recruiting players and currently field two teams, with one competing in the National Division 1 and the second competing in South Division Two.
The club won the Valerie Fraser Trophy
Valerie Fraser Trophy
The Valerie Fraser Trophy also known as the Valerie Fraser Camanachd Cup or the Women's Camanachd Cup is the premier trophy for women in the sport of shinty...
for the first time in 2008 beating Glengarry
Glengarry Shinty Club
Glengarry Shinty Club is a shinty team from Invergarry, Inverness-shire, Scotland. The club has played in its present form since 1976. There is one senior team, competing in North Division Two. The club also runs a highly successful women's team.-History:...
in the final.http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/851166?UserKey=. They followed this up by finishing as runners up in both the Valerie Fraser Trophy
Valerie Fraser Trophy
The Valerie Fraser Trophy also known as the Valerie Fraser Camanachd Cup or the Women's Camanachd Cup is the premier trophy for women in the sport of shinty...
and National Division One league in 2009 http://www.spanglefish.com/WomensShinty/index.asp?pageid=66345
Senior Gaelic Football
- Scottish Championship Winners: 2001
- Scottish League Winners: 2001, 2002
- Michael Davitt Shield WinnersDavitt ShieldThe Michael Davitt Shield is a Scottish Gaelic Football pre-season tournament founded in 2001. The competition takes place in the April of each season. The trophy is named after Irish Republican activist and founder of the Irish National Land League, Michael Davitt. Glaschu Gaels were the inaugural...
: 2006, 2009
Camogie & Women's Shinty
- Hilda Dooley, Women's ShintyShintyShinty is a team game played with sticks and a ball. Shinty is now played mainly in the Scottish Highlands, and amongst Highland migrants to the big cities of Scotland, but it was formerly more widespread, being once competitively played on a widespread basis in England and other areas in the...
Player of the Year, 2005 http://www.spanglefish.com/WomensShinty/index.asp?pageid=67136 - Tara Camogie Club, West London,http://www.camogie.co.uk/ Tournament Junior Plate Winners, 2006
- Women's Shinty Valerie Fraser Cup Winners, 2008 http://www.spanglefish.com/WomensShinty/index.asp?pageid=66345
- Glasgow Feile Na mBan camogie tournament winners, 2009
- South Shinty League Winners, 2009
- Cowal and Bute (shinty)Cowal and Bute (shinty)Cowal and Bute Camanachd is a shinty club based in Dunoon, Cowal, Scotland. The club fields a side in the Women's League and is the only shinty team at adult level operating in Dunoon.,-History:...
South Shinty Sixes tournament winners, 2009 - Women's Shinty Valerie Fraser Cup Runners Up, 2009 http://www.spanglefish.com/WomensShinty/index.asp?pageid=66345
- Shinty National 1st Division runners up, 2009