Finn Harps go down fighting against Sligo Rovers in Under-17 League

FINN HARPS WERE undone by two first half Sligo Rovers goals in the SSE Airtricity League Under-17 League at Drumoghill this afternoon.

Finn Harps 1-2 Sligo Rovers

Goals from Mark Byrne and Gary Higgins were on target for the visitors before Corrie-lee Bogan pulled one back for the much-improved Ballybofey side after the break.

The chances started to come on 10 minutes when Shane Blaney saw a free-kick tipped over the crossbar by Sligo goalkeeper Lorcan Callaghan.

Then, just a minute later, from a breakaway Michael McGarry went close as Jamie Bell in the Harps goal saved.

Sligo hit the front of 23 minutes when an excellent cross from James McGrath was headed home by Byrne.

It was 2-0 just six minutes later when it was Byrne this time who made his way down the right and his cross was met by Higgins, whose first shot was blocked by Bell and full-back Conor Gavigan but it was the Sligo player who reacted the fasted for his side’s second.

Harps came more into the game in the second half and Callaghan saved from Mark McAteer and then Zac Brolly was just over the crossbar.

On 72 minutes the home team got back into the contest when Bogan finished well into the roof of the net from a throughball from substitute Adam Byrne.

Harps thought they’d drawn level two minutes from time when Michael Devine put the ball past Callaghan only to be flagged for offside.

Finn Harps: Jamie Bell; Conor Gavigan, Shane Blaney, Shaun Rodgers, Ryan Cunningham; Corrie-lee Bogan (Liam Walsh 75), Ryan Flynn (Michael Devine 75), Zac Brolly (Nathan Harkin 72), Mark McAteer (Adam Byrne 60); James Carolan, Aaron Doherty.

Sligo Rovers: Lorcan Callaghan; Patrick Benson (Niall Morohan 72), Ryan Smith, John Mahon, Paul McDermott; Mark Byrne (Liam Kerrigan 76), Jack Keaney, Dillon Munnelly, Michael McGarry (Cian McAllister 50); Gary Higgins, James McGrath (Jack Hever 67).

Referee: Marty Quinn.