Harps Maintain Winning Streak

June 18, 2007

Finn Harps…….….0
Galway United…...0

By Michael Carthy (Wexford Echo)

FINN HARPS were visitors to the Wexford Football Complex last weekend and were looking for their third league win in a row.

The Donegal outfit¹s confidence was sky high after knocking Premier club Galway United out of the FAI Cup earlier in the week and as it transpired they dominated most of the 90 minutes on Saturday.

Wexford showed three changes from Tuesday night¹s starting lineup against Limerick 37. Craig McGuire was making his first senior start while Garrett Larkin returned from suspension and Marty Kelly was also in the starting 11.

They took the places of captain Johnny Flynn O¹Connor (injured), Gary Murphy (sub) and Anthony Rossiter who was on his honeymoon.

The visitors were attacking from the start and in the opening seconds John O¹Loughlin sent a dangerous ball across the face of the Wexford goal which was palmed away by Youths¹ goalkeeper, Jason Russell.

Then, on six minutes Conor Gethins lobbed Russell, Stuart Lawlor headed off the line and Marc Brolly headed just wide.

Brolly was through on the Wexford goal on 17 minutes but his volley was saved by Russell. This was shortly after Stuart Lawlor had headed a Conor Sinnott free kick over the bar.

The hard working Marty Kelly was then fouled 25 yards out. Sinnott took the free and Lawlor  won the header but again it was too high.

Then, on 45 minutes, O¹Loughlin¹s right wing cross found the unmarked Gethins who scored his eighth goal of the campaign from 10 yards out to put Harps in front.

The second half opened with Youths¹ captain, Garrett Larkin clearing Gethins¹ dangerous cross from the right and five minutes later Harps¹ Declan Boyle had a headed effort which wasn¹t too far off target.

Larkin was again in action in his penalty area, with a terrific saving tackle, when Gethins was clear through on goal. That was before Finn¹s Stephen Parkhouse received his marching orders after collecting two yellow cards with six minutes remaining.

Wexford¹s best chance to level fell to sub Andrew O¹Loughlin near the end but he drove wide from 12 yards out.

The defeat left Wexford without a win in 11 games and as we went to press on Tuesday, Mick Wallce¹s team was travelling to Kilkenny for a vital Division One game against City before they play leaders Dundalk at Newcastle on Saturday.

Wexford Youths: Jason Russell, Joey Wadding, David Miller, Anthony Russell, Paul Malone, Craig McGuire, Stuart Lawlor, Marty Kelly, Garrett Larkin, Conor Sinnott, Liam O¹Loughlin. Subs: Gary Murphy, Paul Rossiter, Keith Kearney, Andrew O¹Loughlin (for Miller 77), Lloyd Colfer (for Kelly 89).

Finn Harps: James Gallagher, Sean Roddy, Jonathan Minnock, Declan Boyle, Shaun McGowan, Tony Shields, John O¹Loughlin, Marc Brolly, Stephen Parkhouse, Conor Gethins, Shaun Holmes. Subs: Gavin Cullen, Elokah Ashaken, Matthew Crossan (for Brolly 77), Seamus Browne, James Doherty.

Referee: Tom Supercynski; Asst. Refeerees: Darren Coombes, Phil Casherea; Fourth Official: Sean Grant.
The official attendence at Saturday¹s game was 824.