Harps prove too good

Finn Harps 2 Wexford Youths 1

Wexford’s pre-match plans were upset as they got caught up in a bank holiday weekend traffic snarl-up in Omagh — and didn’t arrive in Ballybofey until half an hour before the game started.

But the home side struggled to exploit any suggestions that the visitors were leg-weary in a first half which saw both defences on top.

Wexford should have taken the lead on 42 minutes when Harps lost possession and Dean Broaders surged towards goal only to see his shot stopped by the alert Ciaran Gallagher. The ball spun loose into the path of the advancing Shane Nolan but his effort was swept off the line by the retreating Aaron O’Hagan.

Harps took the lead on 55 minutes when Gary Merritt floated in a free which Wexford failed to clear and Keith Cowan was on hand to stab the ball home from close range.

Doyle then made a superb save from Damien McNulty before Sean McCarron made it 2-0 on 78 minutes with a penalty after Shane Nolan was adjudged to have impeded Pal McVeigh inside the box.

Eric Molloy pulled one back for Wexford on 85 minute but Harps held on.

FINN HARPS: Gallagher; McNulty, Cowan, O’Hagan, McMonagle; Merritt, Funston, Bonner, Coll; McVeigh, McCarron. Sub: McGowan for McVeigh (89 mins).

WEXFORD YOUTHS: Doyle; McCabe, Browne, Carr, Dermody; Croke; Molloy, B. Nolan, S. Nolan, Keenan; Broaders. Subs: Mulcahy for Broaders (70 mins), Power for Croke (75 mins), Hawe for Browne (89 mins).

Referee: Mr R. Matthews (Dublin).