Finn Harps U19s had to settle for a share of the spoils at the Moss in Drumoghill on Saturday afternoon against St. Patrick’s Athletic in their first Elite National League game of the new season.
Finn Harps U19s 1-1 St. Patrick’s Athletic
Joe Boyle’s boys went 1-0 down after just 13 minutes and that’s the way it stayed until half-time. And it took to the 72nd minute for Harps to get a deserved equaliser courtesy of substitute Ronan Gallagher who had only been on the pitch a short time when they young striker found the back of the net.
And Boyle was clearly disappointed that his side failed to bag the three points.
He said: “If we had won 2-1 or 3-1 it wouldn’t have flattered us. We were very unlucky to be a goal down at half-time because we had dominated a lot of the game. The boys started well but Pat’s went 1-0 up.”
Niall McGinley and Jamie Browne both had good chances for Harps and Michael Gallagher also had an opportunity but it stayed 1-0 till the interval.
After a scrappy start to the second half, the Harps 19’s took control with Pat Loughrey impressive down the left wing while right-back Gallagher and Browne down the same flank were causing Pat’s defence plenty of worries.
After 72 minutes, Harps secured the equaliser but as other chances presented themselves it ended 1-1.
Most of the squad will be on duty tomorrow again when the Harps USL team takes on Kildrum Tigers a Knockalla Cup in St. Johnston.
Then Boyle will take his U19s to the Midlands next Saturday for the second Northern Elite Group game against Athlone Town.
Finn Harps U19s: Joe Boyle; Michael Gallagher, Keelin McGill, Kennan Diver, Daragh Ellison; Jack Doherty, Stephen Doherty, Niall McGinley; Jamie Browne, Gabby Aduaka, Pat Loughrey.
Subs: Ronan Gallagher for S Doherty.
