Mervue United 0 - 1 Finn Harps
Credit:
A sublime piece of finishing, which lit up an otherwise dreary encounter, gave Finn Harps their third successive league win and moved them clear of the bottom four. Marc Brolly provided the touch of class 21 minutes from time, but then blotted his copybook somewhat by getting sent off four minutes from the end.
It was not the first time that Harps had left the Galway venue with a bounty after a late lob had also secured them a point in the previous encounter between the sides. Long-term injury victim Conor Gethins was the architect on that occasion and Eoin Martin must have had a sense of deja-vu as Brolly's well-disguised effort floated over his head.
With only four of the side remaining that visited Terryland late last year battling for their place in the Premier Division, these have indeed been trying times for the Donegal outfit, who are relying now on up-and-coming local talent to shine through, much like their opponents from the suburbs of Galway City. Clubs that have moved in opposite directions on the progression graph over the last year provided a competitive, yet unsatisfying encounter.
This tie began with vigour and no little spark from the home side, as Evan Connolly and Rory Gaffney whipped in threatening crosses from either flank which could have brought an early goal but a decisive touch was missing. Mike Tierney's impudent turn on the by-line on eight minutes brought back memories of his father's (John - a former Irish Junior International) exploits, but Eric Browne's shot was blocked by Seamus Sharkey.
From that point till half-time Mervue looked most threatening from a number of free kicks in dangerous areas, but only Pat Hoban's 19th minute effort went close to breaking the deadlock. Neither 'keeper was unduly tested in the opening period, with Eoin Martin's only participation coming from a number of easily received crosses.
It would be easy to sugar-coat the second half with references to good passing and valiant intentions, but it really was poor fare for the most part. It took Harps 51 minutes to muster an effort on target, but when they did it took a well-placed intervention by Damien O'Rourke to deny Brolly the opener. Then Packie Mailey somehow managed to miss the target from no distance after a good ball in from Mark Moran.
Following Brolly's moment of magic, when he picked up possession 20 yards out in space and cleverly lifted over the 'keeper, Mervue pressed. With Pat Hoban playing some nice balls from the centre of the field, they came closest when Gaffney cut in from the right and was denied by Gallagher's first real save of the night. A scramble from the resultant corner left Tierney with his head in his hands after his effort was deflected away by a team-mate.
Brolly saw red late on for a second yellow after a rash tackle on Nigel Keady, and although five minutes of injury time were played, in which Mark Ludden's dangerous cross caused palpitations, Harps held out for a valuable three points.
Mervue United: Eoin Martin; Nicky Curran, Damien O'Rourke, Nigel Keady, Kenny Farrell; Rory Gaffney (Kevin Crehan, 80), Eric Browne, Pat Hoban, Mark Ludden; Evan Connolly (Dave O'Dowd, 67), Mike Tierney (Neil Keane, 85).
Subs not Used: Paul Danagher, Mixie Harty.
Finn Harps: Ciaran Gallagher; Ian Rossiter, Seamus Sharkey, Packie Mailey, Ciaran Coll; Christy Conaghan (Mark Moran, 67), Michael Funston, Shaun McGowan, Stephen McLaughlin; Mark Forker (Sean Roddy, 88), Marc Brolly (Alan Gethins, 93).
Subs not Used: James Doherty, Liam Mailey.
extratime.ie Man of the Match: Marc Brolly - A goal worthy of a higher stage.
Attendance: 100.
Referee: Padraig Sutton.
It was not the first time that Harps had left the Galway venue with a bounty after a late lob had also secured them a point in the previous encounter between the sides. Long-term injury victim Conor Gethins was the architect on that occasion and Eoin Martin must have had a sense of deja-vu as Brolly's well-disguised effort floated over his head.
With only four of the side remaining that visited Terryland late last year battling for their place in the Premier Division, these have indeed been trying times for the Donegal outfit, who are relying now on up-and-coming local talent to shine through, much like their opponents from the suburbs of Galway City. Clubs that have moved in opposite directions on the progression graph over the last year provided a competitive, yet unsatisfying encounter.
This tie began with vigour and no little spark from the home side, as Evan Connolly and Rory Gaffney whipped in threatening crosses from either flank which could have brought an early goal but a decisive touch was missing. Mike Tierney's impudent turn on the by-line on eight minutes brought back memories of his father's (John - a former Irish Junior International) exploits, but Eric Browne's shot was blocked by Seamus Sharkey.
From that point till half-time Mervue looked most threatening from a number of free kicks in dangerous areas, but only Pat Hoban's 19th minute effort went close to breaking the deadlock. Neither 'keeper was unduly tested in the opening period, with Eoin Martin's only participation coming from a number of easily received crosses.
It would be easy to sugar-coat the second half with references to good passing and valiant intentions, but it really was poor fare for the most part. It took Harps 51 minutes to muster an effort on target, but when they did it took a well-placed intervention by Damien O'Rourke to deny Brolly the opener. Then Packie Mailey somehow managed to miss the target from no distance after a good ball in from Mark Moran.
Following Brolly's moment of magic, when he picked up possession 20 yards out in space and cleverly lifted over the 'keeper, Mervue pressed. With Pat Hoban playing some nice balls from the centre of the field, they came closest when Gaffney cut in from the right and was denied by Gallagher's first real save of the night. A scramble from the resultant corner left Tierney with his head in his hands after his effort was deflected away by a team-mate.
Brolly saw red late on for a second yellow after a rash tackle on Nigel Keady, and although five minutes of injury time were played, in which Mark Ludden's dangerous cross caused palpitations, Harps held out for a valuable three points.
Mervue United: Eoin Martin; Nicky Curran, Damien O'Rourke, Nigel Keady, Kenny Farrell; Rory Gaffney (Kevin Crehan, 80), Eric Browne, Pat Hoban, Mark Ludden; Evan Connolly (Dave O'Dowd, 67), Mike Tierney (Neil Keane, 85).
Subs not Used: Paul Danagher, Mixie Harty.
Finn Harps: Ciaran Gallagher; Ian Rossiter, Seamus Sharkey, Packie Mailey, Ciaran Coll; Christy Conaghan (Mark Moran, 67), Michael Funston, Shaun McGowan, Stephen McLaughlin; Mark Forker (Sean Roddy, 88), Marc Brolly (Alan Gethins, 93).
Subs not Used: James Doherty, Liam Mailey.
extratime.ie Man of the Match: Marc Brolly - A goal worthy of a higher stage.
Attendance: 100.
Referee: Padraig Sutton.
About Alan Dooley
is one of Extratime's longest serving contributors. Based in County Galway, Alan has been following the League of Ireland since the mid-1980s. His first memory of the drama of domestic football was Vinny Arkins, then … View Full Profile