Super Second Half sees Harps Minors book Championship semi spot

By Jimmy Dillon

Monday 8th September 2025

DLGFA Div 5 Minor Championship

Erins Isle 4-06 (18)

Skerries Harps 5-10 (25)

Our Minor Ladies travelled to Finglas for Round 2 of the Championship and, having won convincingly in their first match at home to Trinity Gaels, the girls were hoping to build on that fine performance and book a semi-final slot with a game to spare.

Despite being down numbers and missing a few regulars - meaning only four second-year minors were present in the starting line-up - the girls attacked from the off and registered the opening score in the first 30 seconds through a fine point from corner forward Ciara Keogan. A period of sustained pressure from the home team and some poor decision making from the Harps girls thereafter saw the home team get on top and at the end of the first quarter Erins Isle lead 2-02 to 0-2, the Harps's second score coming from Chelsi McMahon-Holland. The remainder of the first half did not get much better and an injury to Kayla Boylan meant a reshuffle at the back, which didn’t help, and the home finished the half strongly going in at half time with a 9 point lead, 3-03 v 0-3, with Reiltín Butler putting over the Harps third score of the game from play. 

With the mood somewhat gloomy at half time, the coaches asked for a bit more fight and a lot more football and the girls acknowledged that a change of mindset was required ahead of the second period. Their task to simply try and win the half and hopefully give themselves and opportunity to get back in the game.  

As in the first half the girls got on top in the opening minutes and full forward Hannah Coakley registered her first score of the game within two minutes. Despite conceding a score straight from the kick out the girls put the foot down for the next 15 and registered a further 2-04 to get right back in the mix. The green flags were raised by Butler along with a stunning long range effort from Paige Morgan, the points all coming from play with Hannah Mulligan getting on the scoresheet from midfield and Coakley picking up a further three points from play. As it turned out it was during this third quarter of the game that the home team's spirit faded. Some fantastic defending from the half back line of Sarah Jane Gough, Ellen Ryan and Aisling Murphy meant the home side managed only one point during this period leaving the scoreline Harps 2-07 Erins Isle 3-05, back to a single score – GAME ON!

The last quarter was all Harps as the girls pushed on and their momentum gathered, the pressure was relentless with the Harps defenders winning ball back in the ‘D’ and driving forward at will led by forceful runs from Cara Dillon and Lucy O'Brien. Our workaholic half forward line also came to the fore in this period with great carries and work rate displayed by Sophie O'Toole and Ellie Sheerin both punching holes in the home team defence. During this period the Harps also sustained huge pressure on the home team kick outs with Mulligan and Leah Dillon especially to the fore. Erins Isle could not get out of their defensive zone and Harps made them pay with 2 goals coming from Hannah Coakley along with 1-02 from placed balls by McMahon-Holland in a 10 minute spell. A return to play for midfielder Fiadh Butler was most welcome after a number of months out injured and the comeback was complete leaving the Harps 10 points up as we entered the final few minutes. 

However, as this massive second half effort caught up with the Harps girls the home team finally found their second wind and put in a couple of fine attacks before the final whistle, and despite stand in keeper Maebh Connolly making 2 fine saves and full back Cathy Weldon repelling a couple of attacks the home registered the final score of the game, raising a green flag, to leave the final score Harps 5-10 Erins Isle 4-06.  

A huge second half from the away side with a fine display of running football and with the ball moving at speed meant they outscored the home team by 5-07 to 1-03. The result meaning the girls have reached the semi-final with a game to spare. Next up Raheny in the final group game as this talented bunch look to make their mark in the Championship. Harps Abú!