Fixtures | St Benedict's Harps

Fixtures & Results 2026

Hugh O'Neills vs. St. Benedict's Harps

RESULT: 1-12 - 2-17

Yorkshire Senior League, Sunday 19th April 2026, Páirc Beeston

Report:

St. Benedict’s Harps returned to action determined to bounce back from their defeat to Sheffield, facing one of the toughest tests available in reigning three-in-a-row county champions and Leeds rivals, Hugh O’Neills.

Once again, Benedict’s welcomed a debutant into the fold, with Finn Gillespie-Petersen lining out in midfield for his first-ever Gaelic football match. It was Hugh O’Neills who made the brighter start, claiming the throw-in and registering two early points. However, Benedict’s quickly found their rhythm, working the ball through James Spargo to set up David Tierney for their opening score.

That early response set the tone for a dominant first half. Benedict’s built superbly from the back, with Sean Ó Duinnin, Alex Minnett, and Mark Phelan driving attacks forward and linking effectively with midfield and the half-forward line. Phelan was particularly impressive defensively, reading the game well and breaking up dangerous opposition moves.

Further up the field, the movement and passing were a joy to watch. Paul Curran’s relentless running at centre forward caused constant problems, while scores from Curran, Tierney, and Jack Cleary kept the scoreboard ticking. Conor Houton then produced a standout spell, striking two excellent two-pointers from the right wing to stretch the lead.

The momentum continued to build as Cleary was fouled through on goal, earning a penalty which Houton confidently converted. Just before the break, Tierney added a second goal to cap off an exceptional half, sending Benedict’s into the interval with a commanding 14-point advantage.

Benedict’s started the second half strongly, with Gillespie-Petersen making an immediate impact - winning possession from the throw-in and adding two fine points. Spargo also chipped in with a score, while at the back, Kieran Simpson and Niall Rodgers remained solid under pressure against a dangerous Hugh O’Neills attack.

Lachlan Avery made a notable contribution after his introduction, showcasing excellent high fielding and linking play to support further attacks.

The game, however, took a difficult turn as Hugh O’Neills were reduced in numbers due to injuries, eventually continuing with 11 players following a serious injury to wing forward Kian Travers. Everyone at St. Benedict’s wishes Kian a full and speedy recovery.

Despite their numerical disadvantage, Hugh O’Neills showed the resilience of champions, battling hard to reduce the deficit from 14 to 8 points. Benedict’s, meanwhile, will reflect on a period where their intensity dropped and look to maintain their standards for the full 60 minutes in future fixtures.

The final score of 2-17 to 1-12 tells the story of a dominant first-half display that ultimately proved decisive. It’s a performance St. Benedict’s can take great confidence from as they prepare for their next outing against local rivalsand league champions John F. Kennedy’s on Wednesday, 29th April at Páirc Beeston.

Team:
Conor Willoughby; Kieran Simpson, Niall Rodgers; Mark Phelan, Sean Ó Duinnin, Alex Minnett; Kallem Morris, Finn Gillespie-Petersen (0-02); James Spargo (0-01), Paul Curran (0-03), Conor Houton (1-04, 2 two-pointers, 1 penalty); David Tierney (1-05), Jack Cleary (0-02)

Subs:
Lachlan Avery, Noah Lundy

Man of the Match: Conor Houton

St. Benedict's Harps vs. St. Vincent's

RESULT: 1-04 - 2-17

Yorkshire Senior League, Sunday 12th April 2026, Páirc Beeston

Report:

A blustery day at Páirc Beeston set the scene as St. Benedict’s Harps faced 2025 league finalists and current table-toppers St. Vincent’s Sheffield in a challenging encounter.

From the throw in, the visitors asserted their dominance. Powerful runs through the middle exposed gaps in the Benedict’s defence, allowing Sheffield to strike early with two well taken goals - despite determined efforts from Aaron O’Toole and Kieran Simpson in the full-back line.

To their credit, St. Benedict’s responded with resilience. Kallem Morris, Jack Cleary, and Jack Clover worked tirelessly around midfield to win possession, while debutant James Spargo impressed as a key link between defence and attack. Spargo’s sharp reading of breaking ball from kickouts allowed him to feed David Tierney inside, who made the most of his chances—including an excellent two-pointer against the wind.

At the break, St. Vincent’s held a six-point advantage, and Benedict’s reshuffled, with Cleary moving into the full-forward line alongside Tierney and debutant Alex Minnett dropping into half-back.

The second half saw continued effort from the hosts, who remained competitive in securing kickouts and building attacks. However, a combination of disciplined defending from St. Vincent’s and some costly decision-making prevented Benedict’s from converting promising opportunities. At the other end, Sheffield continued to punish turnovers with incisive runs from deep, adding points and creating one-on-one chances that were well dealt with by goalkeeper Conor Willoughby.

Late scores from Cleary and Clover, along with a well-worked goal from Tierney, were just reward for Benedict’s persistence. However, the visitors’ superior fitness and sharpness ultimately proved decisive.

Team:
Conor Willoughby; Aaron O’Toole, Kieran Simpson; Mark Phelan, Jack Cleary (0-01), Sean Ó Duinnin; Jack Clover (0-01), Kallem Morris; Eamon Dolan, Conor Houton, James Spargo; Alex Minnett, David Tierney (1-02, 1 two-pointer)

Sub: Callum Harrison

Man of the Match: David Tierney

St. Benedict's Harps vs. Cú Chulainn's
RESULT: 1-11 - 2-05
Yorkshire Senior League, Sunday 29th March 2026, Páirc Beeston

Report:

St. Benedict’s opened their Yorkshire Senior League campaign on 29th March in the blustery surroundings of Páirc Beeston, facing a Newcastle side that had proven a thorn in their side with a double over them in 2025.

Playing into a stiff, swirling wind in the opening half, the home side found themselves on the back foot early, conceding 2-02 as Newcastle capitalised on the difficult conditions. Some of the scores owed a lot to the elements, but Benedict’s never let their heads drop. In fact, they began to assert themselves as the half wore on, dominating possession and carving out a series of chances. While a combination of near misses, dropped efforts, and a few wayward frees kept the scoreboard ticking slowly, the intent was clear.

At the back, the defence stood firm under pressure, with debutant Kieran Simpson announcing himself with a composed and assured display in the full-back line.

Turning around at half-time 2-02 to 0-02 down, St. Benedict’s now had the wind at their backs, and they made it count. There was a noticeable shift in tempo and purpose as their earlier build-up play began to yield real dividends. Points flowed from David Tierney, Paul Curran, and Danny Meredith, while Conor Houton and Conor Carlisle raised orange flags from distance with superb two-pointers off the right flank.

With momentum firmly in their grasp, Benedict’s began to squeeze the life out of the contest. The move of the match saw new recruit Lachlan Avery, fresh from down under, deliver a perfectly weighted punt pass into Tierney, who showed great composure to round the goalkeeper and rattle the net, putting clear daylight between the sides.

Across the middle third, the work rate was relentless. The midfield and half-back line dictated the pace, using the ball intelligently and hunting in packs when Newcastle threatened to break. There was a real edge and structure to Benedict’s play, hallmarks of a side growing in confidence.

Though there were a few late nervy moments as Newcastle pushed forward, St. Benedict’s held firm to see out a deserved and hard-earned victory. Given Newcastle’s recent dominance in this fixture, this result will carry extra significance as Benedict’s lay down an early marker for the season ahead. Fellow debutants, Conor Willougby in goal and Eamonn Doolan at wing-back, also impressed with their assured kicking in goal and tenacious defensive work respectively.

Team:
Conor Willougby; Sean Ó Duinnín, Kieran Simpson; Mark Phelan, Jack Cleary, Eamonn Doolan; Conor Carlisle (0-03, 1 two-pointer), Kallem Morris; Danny Meredith (0-01), Paul Curran (0-03), Conor Houton (0-03, 1 two-pointer); David Tierney (1-01), Lachlan Avery

Man of the Match: Conor Carlisle