Harps Under 13’s too strong for Dundalk.

Finn Harps 4 v 1 Dundalk. Finn Harps Under 13’s enjoyed a winning start to their League of Ireland Group One Shield campaign with this comfortable victory over Dundalk at Illistrin. Three first-half goals sowed the seeds for this win leaving Harps on top and despite an improved performance by the visitors after the break Kevin McHugh’s young charges always looked in control. The pacing Aaron McLaughlin gave Harps the perfect start , tapping in from close range following excellent work by the lively and impressive Shaun Patton had set him up. With Harps in charge Patton doubled the Harps lead in the 25th minute , Conor Kelly did well before sliding a ball through , Dundalk looked for a offside decision that never came and the striker drilled the ball home. And Patton was involved as Harps went 3-0 ahead in the 32nd minute , he headed Martin Coyle’s cross goalwards , Dundalk defender Padraig Tinnelly made a good effort to clear the ball but it hit his keeper Adam Burke and went backwards into the net. After the break in was end to end stuff as Dundalk improved and they almost pulled one back when Charles Barnabus cross cum shot his the outside of the post in the 57th minute. A minute later Burke made a super block save to deny Patton at the other end. The visitors pulled a goal back in the 68th minute when Conal McGeough did well on the right-side , his cross found Barnabus who helped the ball on for Dino Costin tapped in from close range. That’s how it remains until the final minute of normal time before Harps added a fourth , keeper Burke failed to hold Aaron McLaughlin’s corner and in the scramble that followed Shane Ellison got a shot away which a Dundalk defender tried but failed to clear and Harps led 4-1. That didn’t finish the drama however , as two minutes into injured time Dundalk keeper Burke needlessly kicked out at Harps Seanie Bradley , conceding a penalty and receiving a Red Card. Bradley took it himself but stand-in keeper Hughie Mc Ginley produced an excellent save to deny him. Still , a good start for Harps in the Group , one which also has Sligo Rovers , Longford Town , Drogheda Utd , and Athlone Town in it . Finn Harps Squad ; Cillian Hagan , Shane Adair , Darragh Coyle , Martin Coyle , Shane Ellison , Ciaran O Kane , James McAteer , Aaron McLaughlin , Adam McDaid , Shaun Patton , Conor Kelly , Tiernan McGinty , Seanie Bradley , Ciaran Cassidy , Diesel Long ,Joel Gibson , Mark Doherty , Darragh O Doherty .