Chris McNulty (Donegal News)
Drogheda United 0
Finn Harps 2
FINN Harps strengthened their grip at the top of the A Championship
with this impressive win over closest challengers Drogheda United at
United Park yesterday afternoon.
Sean 'Wizard' McGowan's young team went into the game with nine points
from their opening four games - one more than United - and they
dominated the game from the opening whistle in what were tough, trying
conditions on a warm afternoon for football.
Harps gave debuts to three players, namely Caolan Kelly, Kevin Roddy
and Anthony Doherty who signed from Swilly Rovers, Derry City and
Aileach FC respectively, and they slotted in well.
Speaking after the game McGowan had nothing but praise for his players."It's a good learning curve for them. We're top of the table and we're
there t be shot at. Everyone wants to beat us but we're playing well.
It's great that the lads get an opportunity to play at grounds like
United Park, especially if they progress to the first team. They're
developing a mental toughness which is good to see. They were
tremendous to a man out there today," he enthused.
The Harps was disappointed to note however that his young charges
will be without football once more next weekend."We've another free week which doesn't make much sense to me,
especially in the middle of the GAA season. All these young lads are
more than capable of playing both codes to a high level and if we're
not giving them regular football I'm concerned that they might walk
away," he said.
"We've twenty two or twenty three lads signed and I don't see why
they don't run the U20 league in parallel with the A Championship,"
he added.
Former Harps midfielder Shaun Williams lined out in the middle of the
park for Drogheda but he was to get few opportunities to display the
talent which made his a favourite at Finn Park earlier in the season.
Indeed, Harps dominated from the opening exchanges and Doherty could
have netted with a couple of early headers before the visitors finally
opened the scoring on 20 minutes.
A free kick from James Doherty found its way to Caolan Kelly who
marked his debut with a headed goal, off the underside of the Drogheda
crossbar.
At the other end of the field Liam Mailey looked assured throughout
under the high ball and whenever he was beaten Kevin Roddy was well
placed to clear the danger off his own line on 32 minutes.
Anthony Doherty continued to pose problems for the Drogheda defence
into the second half and they deservedly added a second goal on 68
minutes. Christy Conaghan's shot rebounded off the bar to Doherty who
was upended as he bore down on goal and Alan Gethins tucked away the
resultant spot kick.
Late on, Fintan Bonner, Doherty Trevor Gethins and Conaghan all went
close to adding goal number three
Harps went into the game with four regulars - namely Patrick Bonner,
Shane O'Connor, Gary Whoriskey and Johnny Gallagher - which makes
yesterday's result all the more remarkable.
Harps: Liam Mailey, Kevin Roddy, Darren McGowan, James Doherty, Brian
Lafferty, Christy Conaghan, Caolan Kelly, Trevor Gethins, Alan
Gethins, Anthony Doherty, Fintan Bonner. Sub Mark Moran for A Gethins,
Barry Tourish, David Gethins and Colm Kelly (not used).
