Harps U17 go clear at the top

First half goals from Jamie Browne and Niall McGinley helped the Finn Harps U17s to an important 2-1 win over Derry City in the Northern Section of the Airtricity League earlier this afternoon at the Curragh. The result puts Declan Boyle’s side three points clear of St. Patrick’s Athletic who were not in action today. Pat’s, however, do have two games in hand. The result was also noteworthy for the fact that two key players, Conor O’Reilly and Marc Walsh, were absent due to international commitments with the Republic of Ireland U16s at a tournament in Mayo.
Harps were completely on top in the first half against the Candystripes with Browne heading home the opener before McGinley made it 2-0 with a strike from inside the penalty area. The hosts who should have been further in front allowed Derry to get a goal back before the break.
Boyle wouldn’t have been too pleased with the second half display as Harps appeared lethargic and lacking the energy that got them off to such a good start against the Candystripes. Still the Harps boys would have happy also to gain some measure of revenge having been beaten by Derry in the Mark Farren Cup last month.
Boyle must now turn his attention to preparing for an away league game against Shelbourne next weekend. Shels drew 0-0 this afternoon in an away fixture against Monaghan-Cavan.
Finn Harps – Joe Boyle; Keelan McGill, Keenan Diver, Oran McGuinness, Darragh Ellison, Stephen Doherty, Corrie-Lee Bogan, Niall McGinley, Jamie Browne, James Carolan, Ryan Cunningham.