The Finn Harps Underage Committee has finalised a review of its underage structures and a plan for 2019 and beyond will be unveiled in the coming weeks. A full study of the workings of underage football has now been completed and a blueprint for the future direction of the Finn Harps Academy is expected to be unveiled at a press conference before the end of July. A number of managerial appointments will be announced along with the unveiling of the future structural plan of underage football at Finn Harps.

 

The Finn Harps U15s maintained their unbeaten start to Group 1 of the National U15 League season on Saturday evening thanks to a super comeback against neighbours Derry City in Ballybofey to win 2-1 in the end. The result put Kevin McHugh’s side clear at the top of the table having shared that spot with St. Patrick’s Athletic going into Saturday’s game.

 

Harps started on the front foot and were presented with a chance within the opening two minutes. Jack Dwyer cut inside from the right before playing to Conor Campbell who in turn played a clever through ball to Blake McGarvey, though his goal bound shot was blocked by an flailing Derry leg.

At the other end Derry opened the scoring with their first attack of the game. When the winger dribbled inside had time to get his head up on the edge of the box before unleashing a low strike that Paddy McGarvey could only parry out, Callum McArthur was quickest to react to the rebound to fire the candystripes in front.

Harps regained composure as the half progressed and during a 10 minutes spell created a number of opportunities to equalise. Dwyer headed straight at the keeper from a deep Campbell cross, Oran McGrath powered a header over the crossbar, and Campbell failed to hit the net on two occasions.

Harps continued to pile the pressure on in the second half with Daryl Porter winning the ball back in the opening minute though his shot was comfortably saved by Kyle Burns.

Porter turned provider for the next Harps chance when he drove into the Derry box before cutting the ball back for Dwyer who curled his effort narrowly wide of top corner.

Joel Gorman was the next to force Burns into action with the keeper on hand to smartly save after Gorman’s low strike from the edge of the area.

Harps finally found the equaliser on the hour mark when Campbell swung a dangerous cross in, evading everyone to fall to Dwyer, who put a telling touch to force it over the line.

Harps took the lead with 9 minutes remaining when Jamie McDaid played Dwyer through, the winger having presence of mind to pull his pass straight across goal to Porter who tapped in unmarked at the back post.

Derry has their second chance of note with 5 minutes remaining when McArthur ran at the heart of the Harps defence making his way into box to get a strike though pressure from Fionnan Coyle forced the shot to be deflected narrowly wide.

Harps has one final chance to add a gloss to the scoreline when a surging run and cross by Corey Brolly was met by Jamie McDaid though his outstretched attempt hit the base of the post and ricocheted wide.

That result sees Harps U15s now clear at the top of the group ahead of a tough trip to Dublin next weekend to face Shelbourne.

 

 

17s secure draw against leaders

Finn Harps U17 skipper Darragh Ellison’s second half penalty secured his side an excellent share of the spoils in a

1-1 with league leaders Bohemians in Dublin on Saturday. It’s a result that keeps Declan Boyle’s boys well in contention for qualification for the knockout stages of the national competition. The Harps 17s are away to bottom of the table Longford next Sunday (kick-off 2.00).

U19s lose to Bohs

The Finn Harps U19s suffered a 2-1 defeat to Bohemians in a battle of second and third in the Elite Section of the Northern League on Saturday in Ballybofey. Joe Boyle’s had went into the match in second place but by the end of the 90 plus minutes Bohs had leapfrogged them with this away victory. The visitors took an early lead but Harps got back on level terms shortly after the break through Mark McAteer. The hosts had come close before that from a Ryan Finn set-piece and were on top for a period after the goal. Former Bonagee Utd player James Carolan was most unlucky with another effort but it was Bohemians who bagged a big three points with a second goal. The Harps U19s are at home again next Saturday against bottom of the table Longford Town (kick-off 2.00).