Finn Harps 1 - 1 Glentoran
Credit:
A new-look Finn Harps managed an encouraging 1-1 draw against Irish League side Glentoran at Finn Park yesterday afternoon.
John Paul Gallagher and manager Peter Hutton made their first appearances for the Ballybofey club, while Stephen O’Donnell, who played under Anthony Gorman in 2006, made his second debut.
With a large following from Belfast among the 300 crowd, it was the side from the Oval that took an early lead. After three minutes, Jimmy Callacher was taken down by James Doherty and Matthew Burrows was on hand to tuck home the penalty.
Then, four minutes later, Kevin McHugh was taken down on the edge of the penalty area and the former Linfield striker dusted himself down to steer the free-kick around the wall and low in by Elliot Morris’s left-hand post for a fine leveller.
Gareth Harkin, who showed a lot of nice touches, then shot marginally over, while Matthew Johnston drew a save from Ciaran Gallagher. The other main chances of note were passed up by Paddy McLaughlin for Harps and Burrows of Glentoran.
The former Derry City defender Hutton slotted in at centre-back after the break and brought a touch of experience to his side. Owen Beggs had a great shot, having taken the ball down on his chest, but it flew just over for Glentoran, while Keith Cowan and substitute Oisin McMenamin both passed up headed opportunities to win it for Harps.
Glentoran, in their pre-season of course, had a lot of the ball in the second half and John McGuigan and Callacher both were narrowly off target.
Harps, who are enjoying a free week in the Airtricity League Division One, would have been pleased with the run-out and they travel to Solitude to face another Irish League side in the form of Cliftonville on Tuesday, before returning to league action against Salthill Devon the coming Friday.
Finn Harps: Ciaran Gallagher: James Doherty, Paddy McLaughlin, Keith Cowan, John Paul Gallagher; Mark Forker, Thomas Bonner, Aaron McElwee, Gareth Harkin; Blain Curtis, Kevin McHugh.
Subs used: Ciaran Coll, Peter Hutton, Gary Merritt, Stephen O’Donnell, Chris Patton (46), Oisin McMenamin, Raymond Foy (70).
Glentoran: Elliot Morris; Colin Nixon, Richard Clarke, Sean Ward, Aidan O’Kane; Johnny Taylor, Jimmy Callacher, Jim O’Hanlon, Matthew Johnston; Matthew Burrows, Jason Hill.
Subs: Calum Birney, John McGuigan, Kyle Cherry, Owen Beggs, Martin Murray, Tim McCann.
Referee: Paul McLaughlin (Monaghan).
Assistants: Tommy McAree, Paul Duddy.
John Paul Gallagher and manager Peter Hutton made their first appearances for the Ballybofey club, while Stephen O’Donnell, who played under Anthony Gorman in 2006, made his second debut.
With a large following from Belfast among the 300 crowd, it was the side from the Oval that took an early lead. After three minutes, Jimmy Callacher was taken down by James Doherty and Matthew Burrows was on hand to tuck home the penalty.
Then, four minutes later, Kevin McHugh was taken down on the edge of the penalty area and the former Linfield striker dusted himself down to steer the free-kick around the wall and low in by Elliot Morris’s left-hand post for a fine leveller.
Gareth Harkin, who showed a lot of nice touches, then shot marginally over, while Matthew Johnston drew a save from Ciaran Gallagher. The other main chances of note were passed up by Paddy McLaughlin for Harps and Burrows of Glentoran.
The former Derry City defender Hutton slotted in at centre-back after the break and brought a touch of experience to his side. Owen Beggs had a great shot, having taken the ball down on his chest, but it flew just over for Glentoran, while Keith Cowan and substitute Oisin McMenamin both passed up headed opportunities to win it for Harps.
Glentoran, in their pre-season of course, had a lot of the ball in the second half and John McGuigan and Callacher both were narrowly off target.
Harps, who are enjoying a free week in the Airtricity League Division One, would have been pleased with the run-out and they travel to Solitude to face another Irish League side in the form of Cliftonville on Tuesday, before returning to league action against Salthill Devon the coming Friday.
Finn Harps: Ciaran Gallagher: James Doherty, Paddy McLaughlin, Keith Cowan, John Paul Gallagher; Mark Forker, Thomas Bonner, Aaron McElwee, Gareth Harkin; Blain Curtis, Kevin McHugh.
Subs used: Ciaran Coll, Peter Hutton, Gary Merritt, Stephen O’Donnell, Chris Patton (46), Oisin McMenamin, Raymond Foy (70).
Glentoran: Elliot Morris; Colin Nixon, Richard Clarke, Sean Ward, Aidan O’Kane; Johnny Taylor, Jimmy Callacher, Jim O’Hanlon, Matthew Johnston; Matthew Burrows, Jason Hill.
Subs: Calum Birney, John McGuigan, Kyle Cherry, Owen Beggs, Martin Murray, Tim McCann.
Referee: Paul McLaughlin (Monaghan).
Assistants: Tommy McAree, Paul Duddy.
