FAI Cup Report: Finn Harps 0 - 1 Crumlin United

Finn Harps' week went from bad to worse as they lost their third game in a row conceding twelve goals in the process as Crumlin United made it two wins out of two against Donegal sides in a week after brushing aside Letterkenny Rovers in the Intermediate Cup Final last weekend.

Ollie Horgan made three changes for the visit of Crumlin United in the Irish Daily Mail Cup. Richard Brush, Gareth Harkin and Liam Flatley taking a spot in the side after all missing out on the midweek defeat to St. Pats.

Crumlin United made two changes with Dean Hurley and Patrick Brophy starting having both made substitute appearances in the FAI Intermediate Cup Final win.

The game got off to a lively start with both sides pressing high and creating chances. Crumlin’s Noel Murray had a deft header well saved by Brush. Alan McGreal could have put the non-league side 1-0 up moments later but fluffed his shot after Gregory Moorhouse squared the ball in the penalty area.

Finn Harps fans thought Ethan Boyle had put them in front midway through the first half but his shot hit the side netting.

With five minutes to go in the first half Liam Flatley hit a well-executed free kick but Supple got a subtle touch to hit the ball over the bar.

Five minutes after the restart, Crumlin United took the lead when Greg Moorhouse capitalised on a defensive mix-up and scored from close range.

Momentum switched to Finn Harps after going a goal down, and the home side put Supple under considerable pressure.

Goalscorer Moorhouse almost put the away side two goals up with less than twenty minutes to go, but his near impossible angled shot brushed the far post.

Despite the introduction of Kevin McHugh, Dave Scully and Tony McNamee, Horgan’s Harps couldn’t find an equalising goal and Crumlin held on to progress to the next round.  

Finn Harps: Richard Brush; Ethan Boyle (Tony McNamee 72), Ciaran Coll, Damien McNulty, Packie Mailey; Gareth Harkin, Liam Flatley, Barry Molloy, Adam Hanlon (Kevin McHugh 67), Sean Houston; Ryan Curran (Dave Scully 72).

Subs not used: Ciaran Gallagher, Michael Funston, Ryan McConnell, Raymond Foy.

Booked: Packie Mailey (35), Barry Molloy (61) Damien McNulty (90+4)

Crumlin United:  Shane Supple; Jonathan Meleady, Daniel McGuinness, Noel Murray, Patrick Brophy; Luke Kelly, Carl Forsyth, James Lee, Alan McGreal; Dean Hurley, Gregory Moorhouse.

Subs not used: Daniel Loughran, Gavin McArdel, Gavin Kavanagh, Thomas Hyland, Sean Holmes.

Booked: James Lee (37) Luke Kelly (80)

Referee: Ray Matthews

Attendance: 420

ExtraTime.ie Man of the Match: Greg Moorhouse (Crumlin United)