Darren Murphy admits Finn Harps were 'second best' in defeat to Treaty United

Eanna Mackey reports from Markets Field

Finn Harps manager Darren Murphy was frustrated on Friday evening following his side's disappointing 1-0 defeat to Treaty United.  

Murphy’s men were forced to withstand enormous pressure from the home side throughout with the game's decisive moment coming in the 50th minute when Enda Curran converted the only goal of the night from the penalty spot after Matt Makinson fouled Mark Byrne in the box. 

“The better team won, Treaty were the better side from start to finish and I’m not going to make any excuses. Right from the get-go we were second best,” said a visibly disappointed Murphy after the final whistle on Friday.

“Truth be told 1-0 doesn’t flatter Treaty given some of the chances they created in the first half. 

"Our goalkeeper makes a few unbelievable saves and at half time were hoping that our boys might give themselves a bit of a shake and a lift but then we go out and concede five minutes into the second half and that was it.”

Curran’s decisive penalty was to be the game's only score. 

Matt Makinson was issued a yellow card for a foul on Treaty attacker Mark Byrne inside the box as he raced towards goal moments after the restart. 

“I didn’t see it but some of the boys thought that it was soft but at the end of the day if you make a challenge inside the box you give the referee an opportunity,” said Murphy. 

“Sometimes you get those decisions in your favour some you don’t, tonight it just went against us but I have no complaints.” 

The result leaves Finn Harps in fourth place, four points above Wexford in the last of the play-off positions. 

However eighth place Treaty are just six points behind the Donegal men indicating how tight the race is. 

Harps, who have just one win in eight remain now look to a daunting run of games against promotion rivals UCD, Wexford, and next week’s visit of Bray to Finn Park.

“We know that we’ve got to find form again and find results," Murphy explained. 

"We just have to dust ourselves down, get a good week training, and go again next week.

“It’s still very much in our own hands but it’s going to be a tight race. 

"I’ve got to try to galvanise the boys, get a good week's training in, and look forward to Bray.”