FINN PARK HAS A NEW hero after BJ Banda’s second-half double secured a big win over First Division champions Wexford Youths.
 Finn Harps 4-1 Wexford Youths
 After playing in recent away games against Cobh Ramblers and Athlone Town, Banda (pictured above by Anthony McGlynn) was handed a first appearance at Finn Park by Ollie Horgan.
Although it was generally accepted that this was a dead rubber – something that was reflected in the poor attendance – the game certainly didn’t lack for incident.
Banda, an 17-year-old student at the Royal and Prior in Raphoe, endeared himself to supporters with a fine showing, capped off by two goals, his first at League of Ireland level.
Tony McNamee’s penalty in the 17th minute put Harps in front, only for Danny Furlong’s 30th goal of the campaign to level it four minutes from the break.
Enter Banda.
Eleven minutes into the second half, with Wexford down to ten men following the dismissal of Willie Tyrell in the 35th minute, Banda struck his first.
Ryan Delaney was dispossessed and Kieran McDaid – who gave another encouraging showing in midfield – fed Banda and the former Letterkenny Rovers striker made no mistake with the finish.
Banda’s second had a little stroke of good fortune about it as his effort squirmed underneath Graham Doyle, the Wexford goalkeeper, in the 72 minute.
For good measure, Harps added a fourth when veteran striker and captain Kevin McHugh poked home after Banda’s corner fell into the Killea man’s path.
It was certainly a useful way for the Donegal side to round off their regulation season and sends them to Friday’s play-off against UCD in the perfect way.
Horgan recalled McNamee, Wilfried Tagbo, Damien McNulty and Ciaran Coll to his starting eleven with Banda and McDaid retained after impressive showings in Athlone last weekend.
Harps hit the front when Tagbo was bundled over by Tyrell in the box and referee Rob Hennessey had no hesitation but to award the penalty. McNamee stepped forth to confidently fire past Doyle.
The Wexford netminder’s palms were warmed by a stinging Matthew Crossan free-kick before the visitors were reduced to ten men as Tyrell, again after clashing with Tagbo, was handed his second yellow of the night.
After Ciaran Gallagher got his fingertips to an effort by Chris Kenny, who diverted Shane Dunne’s free goal-ward, Wexford drew level.
Dunne provided the assist with a long ball and Furlong’s header looped over Gallagher and into the net.
It has been a magnificent season for Furlong, who has been the difference for Shane Keegan’s side, but with his side already having the silverware wrapped up their was little energy in their display.
Harps, though, were every inch the side on a play-off mission in the second half with Horgan certainly facing a selection headache ahead of their joust with UCD.
Banda’s double and McHugh’s fourth saw them score four for the first time this season and they weren’t far off a fifth, but McDaid’s snap-shot was just wide while the width of a post kept out a blistering effort from McNulty in the first half.
 Finn Harps: Ciaran Gallagher (Lee McCarron ’80); Keith Cowan, Matthew Crossan, Packie Mailey; Damien McNulty, Michael Funston, Tony McNamee, Kieran McDaid, Ciaran Coll; BJ Banda (Gareth Doherty ’80); Wilfried Tagbo (Kevin McHugh ’61).
Wexford Youths: Graham Doyle; Conor Whittle (Aiden Keenan ‘68), Willie Tyrell, Ryan Delaney, Jimmy Dermody; Eric Molloy, Chris Kenny, John Peare (Andy Mulligan ’84), Shane Dunne; Conor English (Peter Higgins ‘68), Danny Furlong.
Referee: Rob Hennessey.
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