Finn Harps suffer play-off blow as Dean Larkin hat-trick powers Wexford to victory

Finn Harps’ play-off hopes went up in smoke after Wexford FC came from behind to win at Finn Park on Monday night.

Defender Dean Larkin scored a hat-trick of headers in the second half to lift Wexford above Harps and into sixth spot.

Gavin McAteer’s first senior goal had Harps briefly in front before Harps capitulated with a series of set-piece horrors.

Three minutes into the second half, McAteer lit up what had been an otherwise drab affair - played in front of an attendance of 512 - with his first senior goal for the club.

Hans Mpongo turned provider on the right-hand side for Harps. Mpongo fed McAteer on the edge of the area and the 17-year-old took a touch before brilliantly firing home off the base of the post.

The Irish U17 international has had his progress tracked by several cross-channel clubs and there was a scout from Hull City taking note here as McAteer drilled Harps in front.

Harps, however, only held the lead for eight minutes as Larkin rose unmarked in the area to power home a header from a Ben McCormack corner at the River End.

Both Harps and Wexford entered the game trailing Treaty, in the last of the play-off spots, by six points and this was a chance for both to haul themselves back into contention for fifth.

Harps twice lost the lead in a defeat to Bray Wanderers on Friday and there was frustration at more of the same.

It got even worse for Harps 20 minutes from the end when, again, Larkin rose without challenge to head in from a McCormack set piece.

Harps skipper Tony McNamee, playing in his 200th game for the club, smacked wide in the 76th minute as Harps sought a way back, but the night - and possibly their hopes of creeping into the play-offs - firmly fell apart when Larkin headed home his third with nine minutes left on the clock.

In the 21st minute, Conor Tourish almost knocked Harps in front. Tourish met a Gavin McAteer corner and superbly headed towards the top shelf only for Zayd Abada to clear from beneath the crossbar.

There had been fears that Tourish, who has proven to be a real threat for Harps in both penalty areas this season, had suffered a season-ending injury in Friday night’s 3-2 defeat at Bray Wanderers, but the Letterkenny man was cleared to play. However, Tourish was withdrawn injured just before the hour, making way for Joel Bradley-Walsh.

In the early exchanges, before a low attendance at Finn Park, Harps ‘keeper Lorenzo Piaia saved well from Ben McCormack.

At the other end, McAteer drew a fine save out of visiting net-minder Alex Moody. McAteer curled for the far corner from the edge of the box, but Moody beat it away at the expense of a corner. 

Moody replaced Paul Martin in the only switch made by Stephen Elliott - who was serving a touchline suspension here - from a 3-2 win over Cobh three nights earlier. 

For their part, Harps showed three changes to their XI with Josh Cullen, Aaron McLaughlin and Gradi Lomboto all restored to the starting line-up.

Approaching half-time, Wexford captain Aaron Dobbs fired wide from outside the area.

Larkin’s trio gave Wexford the win, although McNamee did force a brilliant save from Moody in added time, the Wexford number 1 powering away from the Ramelton man’s drive.

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Finn Harps: Lorenzo Piaia; Josh Cullen (Shaunie Bradley 83), Max Hutchison, Conor Tourish (Joel Bradley-Walsh 59), Kieran Cooney; Oran Brogan (Gavin Hodgins 83); Aaron McLaughlin (Max Johnston 74), Tony McNamee, Gavin McAteer, Gradi Lomboto; Hans Mpongo

Wexford FC: Alex Moody; Ryan Butler, Robert McCourt, Dean Larkin, James Crawford; Zayd Abada; Ajibola Oluwabiyi (Calum Flynn 85), Mikie Rowe, Ben McCormack (Muhammad Harris 90), Kaylem Harnett (Conor Levingston 77); Aaron Dobbs.

Referee: Oliver Moran.