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Armagh Harps Foundation were founded in 1888 in an attempt to generate the spirit of Gaelic games and national culture in Armagh. Harps represented Armagh in the Ulster Final beating Cookstown's Owen Roes, but losing to All-Ireland Champions Middleton of Cork in the All-Ireland Semi-Final.
These were the days of 21 players in a team. Many of these first Harps players have descendants playing today:- Harps 1890 was Joseph Donnelly, James McGerizen, Patrick Knipe, Hugh O'Neill, Thomas Allen, Patrick Molloy, Jack Mullan, James Deegan, Jack Fitzpatrick, James Lennon, John Vallely, Henry & William Thomas, Ned Mallon, James & Barney Corr, William Slevin, Owen McKenna, John Mulholland, Hugh Carberry, Charles O'Neill and William J. Mckernon, grandfather of a later Harps stalwart Buddy McArdle.
During these years, Harps, along with Tir na nOg and Phelim Brady's kept football strong until the decline during the years 1910-15.