Finn Harps take a useful point from trip to Wexford Youths

THIS WILL CERTAINLY go down as a good night’s work for Ollie Horgan’s Finn Harps as they came away from Wexford with a point.

Wexford Youths 1 Finn Harps 1

Andy Mulligan’s equaliser, six minutes into the second half, cancelled out Ryan Curran’s opener, but it’s a point that keeps Harps five points above the relegation zone with one game left to play in the opening third of the season.

Wexford had stormed to the First Division title last year with Harps promoted via a play-off, but Shane Keegan’s Youths were without their top marksman from last year, Danny Furlong, who was suspended for this game at Ferrycarrig Park.

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It was Harps who hit the front through Curran’s fourth goal of the season in the 24^th minute.

Curran, who also hit goals against Derry City, Longford Town and Cork City, was fed by a long Tony McNamee throw-in and drew a foul from Wexford defender Craig McCabe.

Curran stepped up to fire a penalty past Graham Doyle. Curran netted a penalty against Longford, but missed one in the EA Sports Cup defeat to Galway in the shoot-out – but he made no mistake here.

Harps welcomed Ciaran Gallagher back into their starting XI for his first League start since the opening night of the season.

Keith Cowan and McNamee returned to the side and there was also a rare inclusion from the off for winger Liam Flatley.

McNamee’s long throws are a real weapon for Harps – who were without the suspended Dave Scully – and early on he bombed one of his darts into the danger zone, but Doyle saved from Gareth Harkin’s well-hit shot.

Adam Hanlon, who had been an injury doubt, shot over and Cowan headed just off target, both from corners.

After Harps hit the front, they remained on top and it took a good save from Doyle, reaching as far as he could, to turn over from Damien McNulty early in the second half.

But Wexford did get level on 51 minutes when Paul Murphy superbly picked out Mulligan and he slotted under Gallagher for the equaliser.

Barry Molloy, injured against his former club Derry in the season’s first game, returned to action as a second-half substitute, and he gave Curran the chance of restoring the lead for Harps.

Molloy’s pass was inch-perfect, but Curran’s shot was weak and Doyle gathered.

Five minutes from the end, Packie Mailey saved on the goal-line when Murphy followed up after Danny Ledwith hit the post.

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Wexford Youths: Graham Doyle; Craig McCabe, Gary Delaney, Stephen Last, Danny Ledwith; Aidan Friel (Shane Dunne 82), Jonny Bonner, Chris Kenny, Andy Mulligan; Eric Molloy; Paul Murphy.

Finn Harps: Ciaran Gallagher; Damien McNulty, Packie Mailey, Keith Cowan, Ciaran Coll; Adam Hanlon (Michael Funston 74), Gareth Harkin, Sean Houston, Liam Flatley (Barry Molloy 55); Tony McNamee; Ryan Curran.

Referee: Graham Kelly.

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