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Harps tighten grip on second place

Friday 14th September 2007, 11:39 pm

Declan Boyle scored the only goal as Finn Harps continued their great run of form and surely put enough of a gap between themselves and tonight's visitors at Finn Park ? Dundalk to confirm a top two finish in the First Division of the League of Ireland.

Harps laid siege to the Dundalk goal in the early going and saw a number of efforts come back off the woodwork as well as keeping visiting keeper Chris Bennion on his toes throughout.

Conor Gethins clipped an effort off the Dundalk crossbar shortly before half time but the home support didn't have to wait long for the first and ultimately only goal of the contest.

Boyle struck just a couple of minutes after the break. Shaun Holmes and Gethins combined to set up the veteran defender before he fired past Bennion much to the relief of the Ballybofey venue.

Boosted by Harps' profligacy in front of goal Dundalk rallied and Philip Hughes and Keith Dunne both went close. Dunne's was particularly disappointing as he had found himself in a good position.

Harps held on despite a couple of late scares to stay in touch with First Division leaders Cobh Ramblers and there may be an intense battled ahead yet for the one automatic promotion spot to the League of Ireland Premier Division.

Finn Harps : Gallagher, Holmes, Asokuh, Boyle, Minnock, Funston (Lloyd 68), McGowan, Shields, Brolly, Parkhouse, Gethins.
Dundalk : Bennion, Flanaghan, Marney, McAuley, Hand (Grimes 68), O'Connor, Perth, R Dunne (Mulvenna 75), K Dunne, Vaughan (Smith 65), Hughes.