good news for the under 21s - from finn harps website

May 26, 2007

Finn Harps U-21s………1

Sligo Rovers U-21s…….1

Chris McNulty

reports from The Finn Valley Centre, Stranorlar

FINN Harps Under 21s made their exit from the eircom Under 21 ‘Elite' Cup after today's one-all draw with neighbours Sligo Rovers at The Finn Valley Centre ensures that the men from the Showgrounds progress.

It was substitute Chris Cleary who emerged as a late, late hero for Sligo, popping up to punish slack defending from Harps right on the stroke of full-time.

The home side had taken the lead just three minutes after the interval when Alan Gethins did well to send Barry Tourish's cross into the bottom corner of Richard Brush's net.

Sligo came to Stranorlar today knowing that a draw would see them progress to the latter stages of the competition while a win for Harps would see them force a three-way tie in the group of three.

Had Harps won the game by the single goal, Derry City would have progressed thanks to their greater goal difference.

The visitors contained in their ranks a number of first-team players including Richard Brush, Keith Foy and Brian Cash while ex Harps man Mark Hutchison marshalled the Rovers defence fresh from his substitute appearance for the Rovers first-team last night in Dublin.

The first-half was evenly matched with both sides having their opportunities to unlock the respective defences. For Harps, Johnny Havlin had a shot come off Keith Foy on the goal line and Barry Tourish fired wide of the target from a good position after doing well to create the opening.

At the other end, Liam Mailey pulled off fine saves from Brian Cash and Gary Melly. The Convoy man did well to thwart Cash's attempt after the former Derry City man broke clear down the right and he also held an effort from Melly when the Sligo man really should have done better.

The second half was barely three minutes old when Harps broke the deadlocked with a well-worked goal. Barry Tourish got the better of his man down the left side and his cross was met by young Alan Gethins, who expertly flicked the ball across Brush into the far corner.

Barry Tourish and substitute Oisin McMenamin both had opportunities to double the advantage while Rovers may well feel that they could perhaps have sneaked the win at the end.

They had a penalty appeal waved away mid-way through the half and five minutes from time Gary Hargadon headed past Mailey only for the flag of Assistant Referee Mick Lagan to bring a halt to the celebrations. The decision looked to be marginal to say the least.

However, Rovers did get on level terms in the game's final minute when Chris Cleary reacted quickest in the area to punish what was particularly slack play in the Harps rearguard.

His strike ensures that Sligo progress. For Sean ‘Wizard' McGowan and the young Harps, they now regroup ahead of the commencement of the U-21 League at the end of June.

Finn Harps U-21s: Liam Mailey; Brian Lafferty, Danny Keohane, Darragh McGee, James Doherty; Colm McGonagle, Alan Gethins, Johnny Havlin, Ronan O'Connor; Johnny Gallagher, Barry Tourish. Subs: Oisin McMenamin (for O'Connor, 51mins); Darren McGowan (for Doherty, 67mins); Kyle Devine (for Tourish, 83mins).

Sligo Rovers U-21s: Richard Brush; Ryan Menzie, Michael Flannery, Keith Foy, Mark Hutchinson; Brian McMorrow, Brian Cash, Levi Tierney, Jason McCartney; Gino O'Boyle, Gary Melly. Subs: Mikey Creane (for Cash, 58mins); Chris Cleary (for McCartney, 62mins); Steve Mason (for Melly, 62mins); Gary Hargadon (for Tierney, 72mins).

Referee: Paul Duddy
Elite Tournament
Results Derry City Finn Harps Sligo Rovers
Derry City 0-1 3-0
Finn Harps 0-1 1-1
Sligo Rovers 1-0 3-0 *

* Sligo Rovers awarded 3-0 win as Harps couldn't field on the date of the game


Table P W D L F A G/D Pts
Sligo Rovers 4 2 1 1 5 4 1 7
Derry City 4 2 0 2 4 2 2 6
Finn Harps 4 1 1 2 2 5 -3 4