League Report: Cork City 2 - 2 Finn Harps

Seani Maguire came off the bench to preserve Cork City’s unbeaten home record with a second-half brace against Finn Harps at Turners Cross on Friday night.

Despite having the best chances in the first half, they found themselves trailing 2-0. The strength on the bench proved to be the game-changer, as fans celebrated promotion.

It was a disappointment for the visitors, who gave as good as they got. First-half goals from Tony McNamee and Success Edogun provided a platform for them to claim all three points. However, they were unable to hold out as City roared back.

Both managers made one change from last weekend. Evan McLaughlin started for the champions, who fielded a somewhat unfamiliar back four. Niall Brookwell was selected to play alongside John O'Donovan, with Cian Bargary and Matthew Kiernan as full-backs. Jack Doherty was not in the matchday squad. Sean Patton was preferred to Max Johnston up front for Harps as the visitors aimed to take the initiative.

The home side was given a guard of honour by Finn Harps as it was their first home game since winning the league.

Both teams started brightly, with both keepers called into action early on. Oisin Cooney parried an effort at his near post from Evan McLaughlin, while Aidan Dowling stayed alert to claim a dangerous early cross.

It was a cross that led to the opening goal. Patrick Ferry swung in a dangerous ball that found its way to the back post, where Tony McNamee had stolen a march on his marker and headed home.

Cork’s response came through a pair of free kicks from McLaughlin, both won after fouls on Barry Coffey. The second curled just past the post, with Cooney beaten.

The best chance came just before the half-hour mark. Cork won the ball in their own area, played it through midfield, and released Barry Coffey through the centre. He had plenty of room to advance on goal and square it to Conor Drinan, but Drinan could only toe-poke it past the post.

The away side was fortunate to survive a chance of their own making when Noe Baba attempted to clear the ball in his own area but succeeded only in striking Max Hutchinson. The ball rebounded off the midfielder and looped up, forcing Cooney to scramble and tip it over.

Just as it seemed both sides were preparing for half-time, the visitors doubled their lead. Sean Patton won the ball back in a dangerous area before laying it off to Success Edogun. He danced past several players before finding the bottom corner from the tightest of angles.

A flashpoint occurred following a late challenge by Kevin Jordan. After the resulting pushing and shoving, both he and Cian Bargary were booked.

Tim Clancy responded by emptying his bench and bringing on key players to preserve their unbeaten home record. The changes had an almost immediate impact. Cooney parried a fierce shot from Josh Fitzpatrick but was unable to prevent Seani Maguire from slotting home the rebound.

With 15 minutes to go, City levelled the match. Malik Dijksteel was brought down on the edge of the area, and Maguire stepped up to take the free kick. His effort went straight through a weak-looking wall and past Cooney. McLaughlin had a shot saved by Cooney, while Ruairi Keating came close with a chance that went just wide.

Harps could have retaken the lead with a rare attack 10 minutes from time. Edogun slid the ball through to McNamee as they broke from a City attack, but his effort was tame and failed to trouble Aidan Dowling.

Despite six minutes of injury time, neither team was able to find a winner. The visitors suffered further disappointment when news came through of a last-minute Athlone equaliser.

The objective for City is to remain unbeaten for the rest of the season. They travel to take on Bray next Friday at 19:45, while Finn Harps face another long trip to play Kerry at the same time.

Cork City: Aidan Dowling; John O'Donovan, Matthew Kiernan, Niall Brookwell, Evan McLaughlin, Arran Healy (Greg Bolger 74), Barry Coffey (Seani Maguire 58), Josh Fitzpatrick, Cian Bargary (Cathal O'Sullivan 58), Cian Murphy (Ruairi Keating 58), Conor Drinan (Malik Dijksteel 58).

Subs not used: Bradley Wade, Cian Coleman, Charlie Lyons, Darragh Crowley.  
Booked: Arran Healy (43), Cian Bargary (47), Matthew Kiernan (87), (John O'Donovan 90+3)
Sent off: None.

Finn Harps: Oisin Cooney; Jamie Watson, Matthew Makinson, Noe Baba, Kevin Jordan, Max Hutchinson, David Cawley (Bruce Strachan 61), Sean Patton; Tony McNamee, Sean Patton (Max Johnston 67), Success Edugon.
Subs not used: Corey Sheridan, Luke O’ Brien, Gavin Gilmore, Aaron McLaughlin, Gavin McAteer.

Booked: Noe Baba (13), Kevin Jordan (47), Patrick Ferry (69),
Sent off: None

Referee: Declan Toland
Attendance: 2765
extratime.com Player of the Match: Evan McLaughlin