Harps U17s League Victory vital
After the ‘high’ of securing the late draw last weekend against leaders St. Patrick’s Athletic the Finn Harps U17s must build on that result by winning this Saturday afternoon’s away fixture against bottom of the table Longford Town in the FAI National U17 League (kick-off 1.00).
Harps are fifth in the table with four teams qualifying for the knockout stages of the competition. So it’s all to play for with four round of fixtures remaining.
Manager Declan Boyle will be taking nothing for granted against Longford who pulled off a surprise 5-2 win over Derry City last Saturday. Leaders St. Pat’s and Bohemians will take the top two places with Sligo Rovers, Dundalk, Harps, Athlone, Shelbourne and Derry all battling it for the third and fourth spots.
A Harps win in Longford is a must in order to stay in contention. The other games in the Northern Section includes Shelbourne v Bohemians on this Thursday night. On Saturday Athlone are away to Monaghan/Cavan while Derry City host Sligo Rovers and St. Pat’s are at home to Dundalk.
Harps U19 look for win in Longford
It’s coming down to the wire in terms of the vital final placings in the FAI National U19 League with just two rounds of fixtures now left to be completed. And the Finn Harps U19s are battling to be in the top two which would guarantee Joe Boyle’s side a home draw in the knockout stages of the competition.
But it’s very tight as Harps head for Longford this Sunday. St. Patrick’s Athletic lead the league by a point from both Dundalk and Harps. Derry City are just a further point adrift in fourth place.
Boyle’s team will be favourites to defeat Longford this Sunday despite being away from home. They are 12 points ahead of their opponents. In the other important fixtures leaders St. Pat’s will be expected to defeat visitors Drogheda Utd on Sunday.
Likewise on Saturday hosts Derry City U19s should be too strong for bottom of the table Athlone Town. Dundalk have home advantage against Sligo Rovers who are not in the frame for qualification. The final league game for the Finn Harps U19s will be Saturday 17th of September in Ballybofey.