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SEPTEMBER 2002
Vancouver Harps First Season in Engineers League: Success or Failure?
By BREANDAIN O'FLOINN
Vancouver Harps completed their first season in the Vancouver Engineers Soccer League in August. If the team benefitted by playing in the "recreational" league one has to look back on the events of the season.
Even before the first game, a determination and vitality had spread among the "squad" to put on a good show in the new league. Many of Harps players were even relieved not to be making the arduous journey from Vancouver to play in Richmond league and cup games and the opportunity to play in Vancouver again was going to be a welcomed change.
Without a doubt, the team felt they had one up on their new opponents. In a way, the}' were justified by adopting such a viewpoint as their experience in the competitive Richmond Soccer League would give them an edge over many teams in the summer league, or so they thought.
It was that sort of scenario that many Vancouver Harps felt they had the advantage to get results in every game.
In truth, the players were justified in taking such a view point, given they had onside players with great skills such as Marty McCann and Rory Connolly and Tony Doyle in the forward line. Sean Minagh, Caley Boggin, Steve Byrnes and John Messenger in midfield.
Then, there was a brick wall of
Paul O'Brien, Jimmy Ritchie, Joe Burke, Paul Stack and Paul and Eamonn McGinley in the heart of the defense. Barney Begley put in a solid performance in goals for the majority of games. Sean O'Neill and Rory (Cork Rory) joined the team at mid-season and put on terrific displays of attacking football in midfield.
The season began with such promise - Vancouver demolished RCPL 7-0 in a game that was over before the half time whistle was blown.
The future was looking bright. Bring on the rest said Harps. But RCPL were the weak side in the league and remaining teams had much more verve and determination to win.
Most of the teams had man}' players who had played in competitive leagues in England and continental Europe. They may all have possessed a few weak players but walkovers they were not.
In the remaining games of the season, Harps managed to put on a great display of soccer skills. The players had the will not to lose. But unfortunately their determination to win and give 100 percent seemed to fall short of the mark. In the end, the following table gives the Harps performances for their 18 games.
Twenty points from 17 games is above average play for sure. But Harps have the ability to do better than that and with their Richmond League season upon them, each player should realize that to improve the performance, the commitment level has to rise.
One would expect to see a midweek training as part of the plan, if the hope is to improve on their Summer League results.
On the final day of the season, the players presented their own preference for the Harps Player of the season. Paul O'Brien, from Shankill, County Dublin, put in a steadfast performance in the hearth of defense game after game. Paul deserves the accolades from fellow players and congratulations go to him for his own success this season.
Special thanks also goes to Marty McCann for keeping a record of team results and also to all team members who helped throughout the season.
A special mention should go to people like Dermot Byrne, Tom Butler, Eamonn McGinley Senior (for after game refreshments). And to Jimmy Speriman for turning out on the sidelines and giving support. Was it a successful season? Yes, of course it was.
Games:
Postponed:
Won:
Drew:
Lost:
Points:
G/F: G/F:
18 1
7
6
4
20
51
36
PAUL
able
Harps
O'BRIEN, with the
Most Valu-Vancouver
At first glance, 51 goals in 17 games is three goals per game, which is no mean feat by any standard and a compliment to the forward line for sure. Up front Marty McCann and Rory Connolly banged in over 20 goals between them.
But then there's a goals against figure of 36 which negates the previous good performances. The dilemma is that the defense could in no way be blamed for them all. Harps players, week in week out, found it easy to go in front.
But then came a sojourn, when there was no communication and mediocre efforts brought score lines back to level par or worse. Yes, Harps had the ability to win them all but threw half their games to the opposition. In the end, it left Harps with a mediocre showing.
VANCOUVER HARPS with the Egineers Summer Soccer League. [Shown in the upper right corner: Club supporters Eamonn Billings and Tom Butler.]
Sam Maguire Cup Damaged
GALWAY - GAA fans were horrified by reports that the famous Sam Maguire Cup was kicked down a street by a disappointed Galway supporter on August 4.
Witnesses claimed that the fan, distraught over Galway's exit from the all-Ireland championship, took his frustration out on the football trophy while it was on a pub tour in Tuam.
GAA officials confirmed that they have received reports in connection with the incident and that the treasured cup suffered "slight damage."
Galway Football Board secretary John Power said that the trophy had been lent to a business premises in Tuam for photographic purposes in the run-up to the massive publicity campaign due to get underway in advance of this year's final.
The incident has led to calls on the sports body to review its policy of allowing "prestigious" cups to go on "pub crawls." It is the second time that a GAA trophy has been at the centre of a scare.
Earlier, this year college football fans were relieved when the Sigerson Cup, which had mysteriously vanished while being held by University of Ulster in Jordanstown, turned up on a Belfast doorstep in the early hours of the morning.
The GAA confirmed that it is very disappointed at the reported damage to the Sam Maguire Cup. The Galway County Committee has been requested to return the cup to Croke Park so that immediate repairs can be effected.
THE CALGARY CHIEFTAINS Gaelic football team, winners of the July Calgary GAA Tournament.
Calgary GAA Tournament an Outstanding Success
CALGARY - On July 20 and 21, the Calgary GAA tournament took place at the Calgary Rugby Union grounds, one of the best facilities east of the Rockies. The facility can only be described as excellent for both players and spectators. It was a sunny Alberta weekend when the Calgary Chieftains men's and women's, Edmonton Wolf Tones men's and women's and Vancouver Harps men's teams took to the field.
The weather co-operated to welcome the visiting Vancouver and Edmonton players to the Calgary tournament, and Ronan Deane of Calgary said, "the Calgary men and women were ready to give their guests more of a tough time on the field than the party atmosphere that some people were expecting."
Noel Tuohy, John McGrath and Ronan Deane with a bit of help from the Muldoons from Edmonton were up bright and early to make sure that the pitch was set-up, lined and ready for the events of that revealing day.
Saturday's game saw old rivals Calgary and Vancouver go head-to-head in a tenacious battle that saw the home side come out clear victors. Vancouver's Sean O'Neill and Rory Mulhally put on a fine display alongside stalwarts Sean Minagh and Mickey Hurley. For Calgary, Simon Kelly of Kildare making his debut put on a fine display and Frankie Campbell's goals put Calgary on the road to victory.
In the follow up game for Vancouver, Edmonton was cruising to victory with a six goal lead at half time and the writing was on the wall for Vancouver to pack their bags. However by the final whistle, Edmonton was left shell shocked by Vancouver's determination to get a result. Edmonton followed up with another loss against Calgary.
The final between Calgary and Vancouver was going to be a battle of experience and prowess. Brendan Flynn of Vancouver reported that the middle of the park became the centre of activity, where loose balls were picked up by the more eager Calgary midfielders. At halftime it was still a close game with Calgary ahead by a couple of points. But Wayne Kavanagh got a crucial goal in the second half, which inspired Calgary to certain victory.
With help from the likes of Brendan Bakey, Nigel McCarthy and Phil Henderson, Calgary never surrendered the lead they had established and went on to win in determined fashion. Vancouver cannot complain about the result but can take consolation in the fact they put on a fine display on the field.
In the end, everyone had a thoroughly enjoyable weekend due to the great organization by Calgary that allowed the weekend to be such an outstanding success. ..on and off the field. Calgary organizers can be proud of doing a great job. Ronan Deane should take a lot of that credit, for the man had all the bases covered. There was even a program of events - that must be a first in local GAA circles. Calgary Chieftains' Manager Ray Kavanagh thanked all for coming and helping to make the weekend such a success.
In a final presentation, Clare man Sean O'Neill of Vancouver was presented with a plaque for most valuable player of the tournament. Sean's performance on the field was an example to all players to strive for.
For information on men and women's Gaelic football: In Calgary, call Ronan Deane at (403) 261-8691 or E-mail ronandeane@hotmail.com; in Edmonton, call Jerry Muldoon at (780) 458-6186 in Vancouver, call Sean Quinn at (604) 319-6909 or Paul Stack at (604) 618-4582.
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Information in this article was contributed by both Ronan Deane of Calgary and Brendan Flynn of Vancouver.