FOOTBALL: It’s the final Northern Section group match this Saturday for the Finn Harps U19s and Joe Boyle’s side must secure the three points against Dundalk in Ballybofey (kick-off 2.00) to have a chance of finishing in the top two which would guarantee them a home draw in the quarter-finals of the FAI National League competition.
And for that to happen Derry City would also need to either draw or lose their last group away to Drogheda Utd, That match also takes place this Saturday. St. Pat’s lead on 35 points followed by Dundalk (34), Derry City (33) and Harps are fourth on 32 points. As it stands the Harps U19s are through to the knockout stages of the FAI National League competition.
On Sunday Boyle’s boys had to settle for a 1-1 draw against Longford Town at the City Calling Stadium. It took a late Simon McGlynn penalty to earn the visitors a share of the spoils. The manager had traveled to Longford minus five regular squad members including Mark Coyle and B.J. Banda who were called up to the senior team panel for the Dundalk game on Monday night.
This Saturday the Harps U17s make the short trip to take on Derry City (kick-off 2.00) in a local derby with a place in the knockout stages of the national competition still very much on the cards for Declan Boyle’s. Including the Derry game Harps have two games left to secure a top four place. St. Pat’s and Bohemians have already qualified for the quarter-finals with Harps, Sligo Rovers, Dundalk, Derry, Athlone and Shelbourne all battling for the final two places.
A 4-0 win over Shelbourne in Killygordon on Saturday keeps Boyle’s boys on track for a place in the knockout stages of the national competition. Two goals each from captain Shane Blaney and Niall McGinley sealed the victory for Boyle’s side
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