Superb start for Finn Harps U-17s against Dundalk
Finn Harps woman’s U-19 team also made the trip to face Peamount in their opening fixture and came away with an excellent victory against a top side so it was a great start from both sides
Finn Harps Woman’s U-17s started the 2024 National League season with a brilliant display at the weekend beating Dundalk 4-0.
An excellent first-half display which included debutants Rhianna Doherty, Sienna Bradley and Alannah Curran, who are all formerly of the Inishowen Women's academy, set the tone for this game, with Harps starting bright.
Chloe Deeney set Caitlin Doherty away only to be denied by a smart save. Moments later, ex Carn striker Doherty, was unlucky as she hit the post after the Harps attacker robbed a defender.
After 22 minutes the impressive Emma Wallace won a free kick when bearing down the right after super build-up play.
The free was swung in by the left foot of Sophie Doherty and was bundled over by Scarlett Keyes from close range to make it 1-0.
Harps continued to win the midfield battle with Sophie Canning and Ainara Hutcheson breaking up Dundalk attacks.
Soon, work from Deeney and Wallace forced an error from Dundalk's midfield and the clinical Caitlin Doherty made no mistake to double the lead from 18 yards.
The second half followed a similar pattern with Harps denying any meaningful attacks by Dundalk with Keyes, Niamh Ryan and Kaylagh Sweeney totally in control of their defensive duties to ensure a clean sheet was kept.
Doherty got her second on the hour mark after rounding the keeper from close range. Sophie Doherty almost added a goal when her long range free kick was brilliantly saved by the keeper as it was sailing into the top corner.
The goal of the game came on the 70-minute mark when the skilful Sarah McGuinness beat a defender on the left wing and released Doherty, who then beat her marker and made no mistake when one on one with the keeper to create history as the first Finn Harps player in the Women's National League to score a hattrick.
Harps then seen the game out with some good passages of play with Sienna Bradley and Abaigh Curran heavily involved in proceedings. The next game sees the squad travel to Bohemians in a fortnight’s time with good confidence.
Meanwhile, the Finn Harps Woman’s U-19 team made the trip to face Peamount in their opening fixture and came away with an excellent victory against a top side.
Despite going 1-0 down to the Dublin club, who were able to field some of their senior players.
Harps showed excellent resilience and levelled the tie with Culdaff's Lorinne Green equalising on the hour.
Heidi Gill fresh from representing Scoil Mhuire Buncrana in recent days, was introduced and helped Harps gain a firm foothold in the contest.
In the 82nd minute, a smart Aislinn Coll pass teed up Ella McHugh who made it 2-1 to Harps, in what was a super weekend for the Finn Harps WNL squads.