Harps begin with a victory

Harps, now under the management of the youthful left winger Dwyer Lavery, went into this game with some new and some old names on the team sheet.

Names such as Simon Mitchell, Stevie Shanks, Terry Magee, Barry Dummigan and captain Jerome Eagers were back for another season while Emmet O'Neill, Kevin Sheedy, Barry McKeever and Mark McMahon were the new signings making their debut.

Also back in action for the Harps was midfielder Michael Halls who also played the previous season for the Taghnevan club.

The Goodyear side also had a familiar look to it as well. Former Harps right back Seany McConville, who has taken over the manager’s job at Goodyear reserves, side lined up against his former side.

Also on board Sean Marshall, Chris Cassidy, Micky Ruddy, Crip Conlon, Paddy Curran and Peadar Murphy who have all stripped out in the Harps green and yellow were all playing their first Goodyear games.

It was another ex-Harps players who gave the Taghnevan side problems early in the game. Conor Doran hit a post as Harps clung on after a going a goal behind.

The Taghnevan lads did get an equaliser before half-time. Sheedy was taken down in the box and Simon Mitchell coolly slotted home the resulting penalty.

The rest of game really evened its self out with out any side really carving out any real clear cut chances.

Kevin O'Hagan made a brief appearance with 20 minutes to go and his experience showed as Harps went for the win. And they did get their did get a winner ten minutes from time. Jerome eagers burst into the box before squaring it to Barry McKeever who slotted home.

Harps Seconds also got their first win in the Summer League mid-week when they beat Red Bull Lurgan 4-2.

Goals from Mark Campbell, Mark Black(2) and Dwyer McAlinden secured a quarter-final berth against the International Bar.

Taghnevan Harps continue their action against a Lurgan Celtic Select on Saturday in the annual Sean Creaney Memorial Cup, which manager Dwyer Lavery will be hoping to give squad members another run-out. The game starts at 2pm at Knockramer Park.