Mervue Utd 1 - 1 Finn Harps

FINN Harps escaped Terryland Park with a lucky point courtesy of an extra-time Conor Gethins equaliser against Mervue United tonight.

First Division newcomers Mervue looked to be on their way to an historic inaugural win in the league after Dave Goldbey’s 44th minute goal. But Gethins’ super shot 25 seconds into added time ensured both teams with depart with a point in a scrappy affair.

Mervue had clearly struggled in their opening two round matches, a 4-1 defeat at the hands of Limerick FC the week before a telling sign of a team still finding its feet. And while Finn Harps did them plenty of favours with an error-ridden display, they would be devastated not to have clung on after leading for almost the entire second half, although now have the first point of their First Division career.

An injury to ‘keeper Ryan Griffin in the warm-up saw Mervue forced into an unusual substitution just 34 seconds into the game, Eoin Martin taking his place after the side had initially not named a substitute ‘keeper on the bench. Johnny Glynn had made a number of other changes to the defensive line from last week’s team, Mark Luddan coming into the team in place of Kenny Farrell and Noel McDonnell in for Mike Tierney. The only change to the Harps squad was Patrick Bonner who took the place of Ian Rossiter in the backline.

The home side were always going to be heavy underdogs heading into the game, but had the first real opportunity of the game 10 minutes in when Dave Goldbey was on the spot as Finn Harps ‘keeper Gavin Cullen spilled an on-target shot. The referee’s whistle put paid to the chance though, an infringement in the box halting proceedings.

Finn Harps returned fire in kind 10 minutes later when Michael Funston grazed the crossbar with a shot from 20 yards. But Mervue would have been enraged not to draw first blood in the 25th minute when Goldbey was left with metres of open ground and just Cullen to beat. His shot slammed off the ‘keeper and team mate David O’Dowd tried to put away the deflection but it flew wide for a corner.

Just over a minute from the break though they finally capitalised on a hefty amount of first half possession to take a 1-0 lead. A Mervue corner was only half cleared and O’Dowd crossed it in, Cullen diving to his right to deflect. It fell to the feet of Goldbey and he fully exploited a wide-open goal from close range, taking his time before booting it home.

The home side clung on until the break, holding a lead for the first time in their three matches since joining the First Division.

It was a droll opening procession to the second half, Finn Harps putting on a completely lacklustre display riddled with basic errors which belied their strong start to the season. Mervue midfielder Gary Traynor’s left-foot flash past the left post was the pinnacle of a quiet first 20 minutes as the visitors switched to 3-5-2 to attempt to spark something.

Substitute ‘keeper Martin was working hard at the opposite end, making a brave save in heavy traffic at the top of the box, getting his left hand to a Funston drive a few minutes later and diving on a dangerous loose ball in a display which will give Glynn plenty to think about next week.

Finn Harps had a late chance for an equaliser when Conor Gethins was given a free just wide of the box on the left. Mervue captain Eric Browne headed it clear, but the visitors continued to press, another two corners following and United continued to live dangerously when Gethins’ shot was dived upon by Martin with just over a minute of regular time left.

But 25 seconds into added time the visitors found the illusive equaliser, Gethins again the main man, lobbing it over the flailing arm of Martin and into the top right corner of goal to grab a lucky last-minute escape.

Mervue United: Ryan Griffin (Eoin Martin 1); David O’Brien, Damien O’Rourke, Eric Browne, Mark Ludden; Noel McDonnell (Rynal Browne 47), Gary Traynor, Nicky Curran (Pat Hoban 76), Dave Goldbey, David O’Dowd, Alex Lee.
Subs not used: Ollie Keogh, Darwin Dowling.

Finn Harps: Gavin Cullen; Patrick Bonner (Marc Brolly 61), Ciaran Coll, Johnny Havlin, Marc Mukendi, Sean McGowan, Christie Connaghan (Mark Forker 79), Ruari Harkin, Michael Funston; David McDaid (Gary Whoriskey 84), Conor Gethins.
Subs not used: Sean Houston, Corny Gallagher.

Referee: Graham  Kelly

Attendance: 170.