Soccer: Sorrow for Cats as Marrows gives Harps narrow win

Relegation certs Kilkenny City were struck by the latest cruel hammer blow to their second ever season in the top flight when a late James Marrow strike earned Finn Harps a late winner at Buckley Park last night.

Fergal Harkin's through-ball to Marrow saw the 19-year-old evade the Cats defence before slotting home a crucial boost for Harps' survival hopes in this relegation derby.

The hosts had ruled the first half, with Bryan Jackson, Mick Byrne, Carlos Rocha and Jackson again all going close for City, who easily could have been three up at the interval.

Harps' only real opportunity in the first half arrived four minutes before half-time, when Ray Kenny's cross was drilled wide by Kevin McHugh.

Just when a scoreless draw between the bottom two was on the cards, up popped Marrow to condemn Kilkenny to their 18th defeat in the League this season.

The result means Harps stay 11th, but with 22 points to their name, they now lie just three off UCD and the play-off spot.

The Cats are now completely doomed, and defeat in their next League outings, away to Shelbourne on Friday week, would condemn them to only being able to finish in the play-offs at best.

However, there is an FAI Cup Quarter-Final at home to Bohs to look forward to this weekend for Joe McGrath's outfit.