IT MIGHT WELL BE Finn Harps’ best finish to a season since their promotion-winning campaign of 2007, but manager Ollie Horgan says it’ll count for nothing unless they come through the play-off lottery holding the winning ticket.
Harps have finished the season unbeaten in their last seven games, with five wins and two draws in that period – an exact replica of the first quarter of the term when they laid the foundations.
A 4-1 win over Wexford Youths, the First Division champions, rounded the regulation season off perfectly and they go to Belfield on Friday night for the first leg of a play-off against UCD with their tails up.
“Maybe the season is only starting,” Horgan said after a night that saw Harps score four for the first time this season.
“It doesn’t matter where we finish if we can’t give a good account of ourselves in the play-offs.
“If it all goes out the window, we’ll look back and say that it wasn’t a great year. We have a massive two games ahead of us.”
The Football Association of Ireland’s High Performance Director, Ruud Dokter, was at Finn Park last night.
The Dutchman was assessing Horgan for part of the Harps manager’s UEFA ‘A’ Licence.
Dokter couldn’t but be impressed by Harps’ second-half performance, full of energy and effort with a brace of goals by BJ Banda adding to Tony McNamee’s first half penalty and Kevin McHugh tagged on a fourth.
Wexford had Willie Tyrell sent of on 35 minutes. Although Danny Furlong’s 30th goal of the season drew them level, Harps kicked for home in part two.
“It was a positive result,” Horgan said.
“Some decisions went our way that maybe didn’t go our way before. That’s the second home game in three where the opposition has gone down to ten men early in the game. That sort of thing was going against us last season.
“We were decent in the second half, albeit against ten men. We upped the pace of it. We were poor in the first half and if we play like that next weekend we’ll be in big bother in Belfield.
“We need every decision to go our way up there.”
It was some calling card that Banda left at the Town End last night.
A second arrived, with the assistance of Graham Doyle, the Wexford goalkeeper, who allowed Banda’s shot creep beneath him.
A well-deserved ovation was afforded to the Royal and Prior student when he was withdrawn ten minutes from time, being replaced by another of the newbies, Gareth Doherty, while there was a debut handed to reserve goalkeeper Lee McCarron.
“BJ did well,” Horgan said.
“He gives us something different. He’s got a long way to go, but I don’t want to take anything away from him. He had a great night. These boys have given the place a lift with their freshness. It’s great to have them in because they’re mad to learn.
“We took them in because a number of players who were in college went back and weren’t able to train with us. They’ve done well in training and have got some game time.”
Now, for the first time in eight years, Harps enter the play-offs.
UCD were beaten 3-0 in Ballybofey last month, but Horgan knows that a rather more stern assessment awaits at the D4 campus.
“We have only a six-day turnaround to Belfield and we’ll be under pressure because they have a full side to pick from,” Horgan said.
“They have given us some run around with their full team. We’ll be starved of possession and it’ll be difficult.
“We’re in a good frame of mind. We’ve built up a bit of confidence. UCD has been in our minds for the last eight days, since they confirmed their place in the play-off.
“They’re probably the best footballing side in the League. All-round, Wexford would be the best but UCD play the best football.”
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