League Report: Finn Harps 3 - 2 Sligo Rovers

Stuart Connolly reports from Finn Park

Finn Harps moved off the bottom of the table after they bagged a vital three points in their quest for Premier Division survival.

Goals from Barry McNamee and Ryan Rainey had Harps two goals ahead at half time while they also had manager Ollie Horgan sent off after just 13 minutes. 

Aidan Keena pulled one back for the visitors before Ryan Connolly restored the two goal cushion with a penalty only to be sent off moments later. Keena reduced the deficit again, also from the penalty spot but Harps held on to move into ninth while Sligo remain in fifth position.

Both sides lost away from home last time out and made just one change each this time around. Ryan Rainey started for the hosts while former Harps man Karl O'Sullivan stepped in for the Bit O’ Red.

The visitors started on the front foot in their fourth and final encounter of the season and with just two minutes on the clock, they felt vexed at the lack of a penalty. O'Sullivan had a couple of shots blocked at close range and many in white felt it hit the hand of a Harps man.

Referee Rob Hennessy was involved again around ten minutes later as he sent off Harps manager Ollie Horgan. After Connolly was put in the book, Horgan was less than pleased with the referee's decision and received a yellow card of his own, his follow up applause resulted in a second yellow and he was given his marching orders. 

A few moments later, the hosts took the lead. Barry McNamee with a superb strike from range, he let fly with his left foot and it crashed in off the inside of the post.

Sligo Rovers responded well to going a goal down and came close to drawing level on the half hour but a Max Mata effort was cleared off the line by Rob Slevin.

Just two minutes later, Harps doubled their lead. Regan Donelon whipped in a corner from the left and Ryan Rainey was free in the centre of the box to head home.

Harps took that lead into the second half but just 90 seconds in, it was reduced. Sligo hit the hosts on the counter and a well placed through ball from O'Sullivan allowed Keena to race down on goal before finishing past the onrushing McKeown. 

With a little over 20 minutes to go, Harps had the opportunity to restore their two goal advantage. Will Fitzgerald fouled Rainey in the area and Connolly stepped up and placed his spot kick into the bottom corner.

Just a few moments later, Connolly was shown a second yellow card having been booked early in the first half and Harps were down to ten men.

With just shy of ten minutes to go, the Bit O’ Red were awarded a spot kick of their own after Ethan Boyle fouled Frank Livak. Keena stepped up and blasted home a terrific penalty for his seventh goal against Harps this season. 

It was backs against the wall in the dying embers of this match but the hosts held on for a crucial win in their fight against relegation. 

Finn Harps: James McKeown; Gary Boylan, Ethan Boyle, Rob Slevin, Regan Donelon; Ryan Connolly, Elie Gael N'Zeyi, Ryan Rainey, Barry McNamee (Liam McGing 84), Filip Mihaljevic (Dylan Duncan h/t); Eric McWoods (Mark Timlin 90). 

Subs not used: Gavin Mulreany(GK), Luke Rudden, Adam McCaffrey, Jose Carrillo, Harry Nicolson, Rob Jones.

Booked: Ryan Rainey (8), Ryan Connolly (12 and 70), Eric McWoods(19), Regan Donelon (40), Elie Gael N'Zeyi(90)

Sent off: Ollie Horgan (13), Ryan Connolly (70).

Sligo Rovers: Luke McNicholas; Lewis Banks (Kailin Barlow 84), Shane Blaney, Paddy Kirk, Nando Pijnaker; Adam McDonnell (David Cawley 82), Karl O'Sullivan, Will Fitzgerald (Frank Livak 71), Robbie Burton; Aidan Keena, Max Mata.

Subs not used: Richard Brush (GK), Cameron Evans, Greg Bolger, Niall Morahan, Cillian Heaney, Eanna Clancy.

Booked: Max Mata (53), Aidan Keena(61), David Cawley (84), Kailin Barlow(90)

Referee: Rob Hennessy 

extratime.com Player of the Match:  Ryan Rainey (Finn Harps)

In Pictures: UCD 1 – 2 St. Patrick’s Athletic https://t.co/8pCvK3rQCppic.twitter.com/hV7QcH10Cb

— Extratime.com (@ExtratimeNews) August 20, 2022