Soccer

Finn Harps facing uphill struggle to make play-offs after Wexford defeat

Four straight defeats sees Donegal side drop out of the top five

Pacemaker Press. 20-4-24. Dungannon Fc v Glenavon Fc, in the Sports Direct Irish League Premiership Darren Murphy during this afternoons game at Stangmore Park in Dungannon. Photo by Alan Weir/Pacemaker Press
Finn Harps manager Darren Murphy (Alan Weir/Alan Weir/Pacemaker Press)
By Chris Ashmore
SSE Airtricity League First Division: Wexford FC 2 Finn Harps 0

Finn Harps now face a major challenge if they are to secure a play-off position in the SSE Airtricity League First Division.

A run of four straight defeats in the league has seen them drop out of the top five for the first time this season.

In fact, Harps have slipped to seventh as not only did Wexford leapfrog over them with their 2-0 success against the Donegal club on Friday, but Cobh Ramblers also capitalised with a win over Kerry and they moved up to fifth. Wexford also have a game in hand.

Five of their remaining nine games are away from home, and seeds of doubt have now been sown about whether they can resurrect matters during the final series of games.

Boss Darren Murphy has acknowledged that they now face a real battle during the business end of the season.

“I can’t fault my players for their effort,” he has insisted, but he has become increasingly frustrated with the goals that they have conceded while also struggling in attack at the other end.

Only bottom club Longford Town collected fewer points during the third series of games and Harps have scored the fewest goals of the ten teams in the division.

“We are now going into a period now that is going to define our season,” the club’s assistant coach and goalkeeping coach Eamon Curry commented.

Reflecting on the 2-0 defeat in Wexford, he said: “It was a disappointing result. I thought we did well in the first half but conceded just before half time.”

He continued: “We just have to try and stop the rot now as soon as we can. We just have to focus now on what we can do.”

He also made the point that while they have had a bad run of late, there is still a quarter of the season to go so there is a lot to play for.

Harps have no game next week as they are not involved in the FAI Cup., and will resume action on Friday week away to third placed UCD.

Wexford took the lead through Thomas Oluwya just before the interval and although Murphy emptied the bench and gave a debut to Scottish midfielder Brian Strachan, the home side sealed the issue in the 89th minute with Darragh Levingston getting their goal.