The Harps dream of three-in-a-row is alive and kicking and manager Martin Greene knows that his team will take a lot from the hard fought win over Erne Gaels at the weekend.
Greene and the Harps were under severe pressure throughout the game but held their nerve on the pitch and the sideline to battle through.
Indeed, Greene got it right in the second half, alternating Stephen McGullion between full forward and midfield at different stages and he came up with the all important first goal for the Harps and won a couple of crucial ball around the middle.
Add to that a strong second half from Ryan Jones at midfield and Greene will have been delighted with how his team reacted to the challenges they faced on Sunday.
“It was fine margins, there is no doubt about that,” reflected Greene. “But there were a lot of positives. I just think that the boys were not happy at half time with their performance and they went out in the second half, regrouped and played much better.”
He added: “Belleek get a lot of men behind the ball but there was no pace or intensity to our passing and the boys knew they could do a lot better. Stephen McGullion got a couple of great balls at midfield and did well for the goal while Jonesy (Ryan) was good in the final ten minutes. I feel men stepped up all over the field and that was very pleasing. The main positive was the character we showed coming back not once but twice while the impact of our subs helped turn the game and that showed that it is now a 20 man squad game.”
While the Harps were not happy with the refereeing in the first half, Greene reasoned: “It was a tough derby game in the championship and that brings its own challenges for everyone. We were just happy to come out the other end of it.”
It does not get much easier for the Harps as they were drawn out against in form Roslea in the semi-final.
The Shamrocks came from behind to defeat Ederney and Greene knows they will be a tough hurdle to cross.
“It will be a tough test, that’s for sure,” said the Harps manager.
“They are a strong, dangerous attacking force and it will be quite a different game to the Erne Gaels match. Roslea are physically very strong in key areas of the pitch and we got a look at them on Sunday evening. Big Seamie (Quigley) was in midfield winning ball and kicking in direct ball to Sean and they did well to come back and win that game. Listen, we know we have a lot of work to do in the next two weeks and we know we will have to improve if we are to progress past Roslea.”