Friendly Report: Derry City 3 - 0 Finn Harps

First half goals from Aidy Delap, Eoin Toal and Patrick McClean claimed a 3-0 win for Declan Devine’s Derry City over Finn Harps at the Brandywell on Friday night.

This was the Brandywell men’s second game of the week after they saw off the challenge of Drogheda United in United Park on Tuesday night.

City took the lead after only two minutes of action, Aidy Delap showing serious composure inside the area before slotting into the bottom right corner of the net.

It was the home side that continued to attack as Patrick McClean sent an inviting ball into the box which was met by the head of Ally Gilchrist, but his looping header narrowly avoided the top right corner of the net.

Minutes later, Barry McNamee and Ciaran Harkin combined but the latter’s effort from range was easily gathered by Peter Burke in the Harps goal.

Midway through the first half, Derry doubled their advantage, as a free kick towards the back post was directed across the face of the goal by Patrick McClean for Eoin Toal to head into the empty net.

Harps had a chance to pull one back five minutes before the break with Rafael Cretaro sending the ball back towards the area in the direction of Sam Verdon, but his effort was sublimely saved by Peter Cherrie.

Devine’s side made it three before the half time whistle, as Patrick McClean headed low into the bottom left corner of the net after a fine cross from Barry McNamee.

The second half was still in its infancy when David Parkhouse showed brilliant pace down the right, before his inviting cross was missed by a sliding Eoin Toal.

With ten minutes to play McGinley really should have pulled one back for Ollie Horgan’s men, but with the goal at his mercy, he headed over the bar.

In the end it was Derry City that claimed their third win of pre-season after beating Cockhill Celtic and Drogheda United earlier in January.

Derry City: Peter Cherrie (Nathan Gartside 81); Eoin Toal (Cathal Farren 81), Josh Kerr (Kieran Farren 74), Ally Gilchrist (Ciaran Coll 68), Patrick McClean; Jamie McDonagh (Ronan McKinley 74), Greg Sloggett (Shane McNamee 61), Barry McNamee (Evan Tweed 61), Ciaran Harkin (Rhys McDermott 81); Aidy Delap (Conor Gormley 81), David Parkhouse.

Subs not Used: None.

Yellow Cards: None.

Red Cards: None.

Finn Harps: Peter Burke; Thomas Larn, Harry Ascroft (Stephen Doherty 81), Colm Deasy (Michael Gallagher 62), Daniel O’Reilly; Keith Cowen, Niall Logue, Sam Verdon (Liam Walsh 62), Rafael Cretaro (Niall McGinley 62); Mark Coyle, Mikey Place (Tony McNamee 74).

Subs not Used: Ciaran Gallagher, Derek Ryan, Ryan Finn, Jamie Bell.

Yellow Cards: Sam Verdon (60)

Red Cards: None.

Referee: Terence Moyne .

Extratime.ie Player of the Match: Aidy Delap (Derry City).