Finn Harps secure top-flight status
Finn Harps took control from the outset with Adam Hanlon’s right-footed shot going outside the post. Then, Ryan Curran was called back for offside as he was about to pull the trigger.
Wexford Youths were finding it difficult, showing little up front, having Paul Murphy booked for diving as he tried to round keeper Gallagher to the right edge of the area after 16 minutes, while on 30 minutes Jony Bonner had a 25m free-kick knocked around the post for a fruitless corner kick.
Four minutes before the break Harps should have taken the lead. Sean Houston broke out of midfield, getting in an excellent low shot that was superbly knocked away by keeper Doyle, but, when Ryan Curran pulled the ball back across goal, there was no one to apply the finishing touch in front of a gaping goal, leaving the sides going in 0-0 at the interval.
The Youths showed more of an attacking instinct on the resumption for, within seven minutes, Danny Furlong had a left-footed low shot well saved by Gallagher.
It was scrappy as the Youths tried to break down the Harps’ resistance, with Lee Chin having a header saved by Gallagher after 55 minutes, while three minutes later Conor Whittle had a shot tipped over by the keeper.
As the Youths pressure mounted Furlong pulled a right footed shot outside the post from 10m, but they lacked luck. For Youths the point was not enough, as they are consigned to the relegation play-offs.
Graham Doyle, Craig McCabe (Shane Dempsey 89), Lee Grace, Lee Chin, Andrew O’Connor, Chris Kenny, Jony Bonner, Conor Whittle (Shane Dunne 81), Paul Murphy, Danny Furlong, Aidan Keenan.
Ciaran Gallagher, Ciaran Coll, Barry Molloy, Packie Mailey, Adam Hanlon (David Scully 84), Sean Houston, Ethan Boyle, Ryan Curran, Josh Mailey, Michael Funston (B J Banda 73), Gareth Harkin.
Tomas Connolly.
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