Harps’ welcome win over the champions

BOYNE Harps welcomed newly crowned Premier Division champions Trim Celtic to United Park on Sunday morning and Darius Kierans’ side ran out 3-1 winners.

While this game may have been a title decider a few weeks ago, it was still good for Harps to take all three points as they prepare for a Kilmessan Shield semi-final in a few weeks.

While conditions were poor, the pitch at United Park was in pristine condition and Harps were very much on top from the off.

Kierans’ team moved the ball well, using the bigger pitch to their advantage. Marty Walshe had the first chance of the game when he tried his luck from distance, but the Trim keeper made a good save.

Kyle Molloy then worked himself into space before firing a

BOYNE HARPS TRIM CELTIC

snap shot goalwards, only to see his effort stopped. Despite their dominance Harps went into the break without a goal and the sides level at 0-0.

The hosts had been forced into a change in the opening 20 minutes when Manny Smith picked up an injury and Kevin Walshe came on as a replacement.

Nevertheless, the Drogheda team made the breakthrough early in the second half. Roy Kierans broke down the left and delivered a cross into the box which resulted in a scramble and a Harps player was hauled to the ground.

The referee wasted no time in pointing to the spot and Danny Coyle neatly tucked the penalty away.

Trim then got on top for what was only a short spell, but they made it count. A shot from 20 yards left Alex Reilly with no chance in the Boyne goal as the visitors drew level.

Two minutes after conceding, though, Harps hit back with a well-worked team goal. Marty Walshe ghosted past two defenders before slipping in Kierans and the midfielder nestled his shot in the bottom corner.

The game was then stopped owing to a clash of heads involving Ryan Connor. There was a lengthy delay as the player was eventually replaced by Kevin Walshe.

The home team then spurned a series of good chances. Walshe pulled a shot just wide, while Kierans failed to hit the target, but it was all one way traffic for Harps.

Harps wrapped up the three points when Paddy O’Boyle curled a free kick into the top corner. Trim seemed happy to just close out the game and never really threatened in the closing stages.

Boyne Harps will finish their league season on Friday night with a trip to face Muirhevnamor, with nothing for either side to play for. However, with the shield semi-final on the horizon Kierans will want to keep the momentum going.

BOYNE HARPS: Alex Reilly, Ryan Connor (Stephen Carter) James Traynor, Manny Smith (Kevin Walshe), Paddy O’Boyle, Kyle Molloy (Rob Cashman), Danny Coyle, Roy Kierans, Marty Walshe, Ryan Connor, Cormac McGrogan (Dale Harding). Div 2: Div 4A:

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 21st, 3.0 O’Neill Shield quarter finals: Reserve Cup second round: Div 3A: Div 4A: SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 22nd, 11.15 Tully Bookmakers Challenge Cup third round:

Prem Div: Div 1: Div 2:

P Glenmuir Utd 14 Duleek 2nd 14 Boyne Harps 2nd 10 Millmount Celtic 13 Abbey Celtic* 14 Albion Rov 2nds* 14 Rathkenny Rovers 14 Kentstown R 2nds 12 Electro Celtic 13 DIVISION 4A

P Carrick 2nd 15 Kingscourt 2nd 16 Johnstown 2nd 14 Bjd Celtic 17 Fordrew Rovers 16 Newtown Utd 2nd 17 Castle Villa 16 Virginia FC 2nd 15 Electro 2nd 18 Slane Wdrs 14 DIVISION 4B

P Lourdes Celtic 16 Chord Celtic 2nd 16 Bohermeen 2nd 15 Square Utd 2nd 15 Donacarney 2nd 14 Albion Rovers 3rd 15 Thatch FC 12 Rossin Rovers 14 Robinstown 2nd 18 Kilmessan 2nd* 15

W 10 9 7 7 6 3 4 3 2

W 13 12 9 8 7 7 6 5 4 4

W 12 11 7 7 7 5 5 4 4 3

D 1 1 2 1 5 3 1 1 1

D 1 1 3 1 0 0 1 0 1 0

D 2 3 4 4 3 2 0 1 1 0

L 3 4 1 5 3 8 9 8 10

L 1 3 2 8 9 10 9 10 13 10

L 2 2 4 4 4 8 7 9 13 12

F 47 41 33 34 36 24 25 15 21

F 46 48 32 27 43 28 33 29 23 30

F 54 50 35 33 40 25 21 32 29 25

A Pts 27 31 22 28 23 23 23 22 18 20 36 15 40 13 39 10 48 7

A Pts 12 40 20 37 18 30 32 25 45 21 50 21 43 19 42 15 36 13 41 12

A Pts 17 38 22 36 26 25 24 25 22 24 40 17 24 15 51 13 61 13 57 6