Report: Finn Harps 0 - 1 Cork City

Cork City collected the maximum points from their trip to Ballybofey tonight, although manager Alan Matthews has huge concerns over striker John O'Flynn for Thursday night's UEFA Cup tie against FC Haka.

O'Flynn shipped a late challenge from behind by Neil McCafferty after 61 minutes of tonight's game. Following a lengthy delay of almost six minutes, during which he received treatment from both physios and paramedics, the ex Irish U21 international was stretchered straight to ambulance and was taken to Letterkenny General Hospital.

City collected the three points thanks to a first-half penalty from Dave Mooney, but they were made work every inch of the way for the points by a workman-like Harps, who will point to the fact that all that denied them a share of the spoils was the hotly-contested 33rd minute goal.

Tonight's game was one of few clear-cut chances and the Donegal side will take heart from a much-improved showing, though creativity still appears a problem in their attack. The hosts, drubbed 5-1 at St Patrick's Athletic last weekend, meanwhile, showed five alterations, though for a change manager Paul Hegarty was in the position of being able to put out a strengthened side.

New signings Davy Byrne - only confirmed as a Harps player this afternoon - and Neil McCafferty came in for their debuts while Marc Mukendi returned from suspension, Jonathan Minnock from injury and James Gallagher reclaimed the number one jersey from Gavin Cullen.

Third-placed Cork arrived in Ballybofey on the back of a six-game winning streak and boss Alan Matthews had the luxury of naming an unchanged side that included the League's leading marksman Dave Mooney, who had bagged a brace of goals in each of his last five starts.

League goal number 14 for the season was ndetted in somewhat controversial circumstances just after the half-hour mark. Liam Kearney was, much to both the bemusement and annoyance of the home support, adjudged by referee Richie Winter to have been obstructed by Michael Funston after the winger jinked inside the Harps full-back.

A minute after losing Davy Byrne to injury, Harps then lost a goal as Mooney stepped up to slot home the spot-kick, sending James Gallagher the wrong way in the process. In the exchanges that preceded the goal, Harps had matched the southerners with Michael Funston, Conor Gethins and, before his injury ended his participation, Byrne to the fore.

An early warning shot was fired in the direction of Harps as Kearney found space on two minutes, but shot straight at Gallagher, before a dangerous cross by David Tyrell at the other end forced Pat Sullivan into conceding a corner with Gethins hot on his tail.

Neil McCafferty then shot over the target after an industrious run down the flank by Funston opened things up during a period when Harps demonstrated their own strengths.

The closing ten minutes of the first-half saw a further three players follow Funston into Richie Winter's notebook and by the end of the game the official had flashed nine yellows - six of them to players in blue.

O'Flynn's injury marred a second-half that was otherwise rather uneventful, though Harps stopper James Gallagher was forced into turning a free-kick from Colin Healy over the crossbar twelve minutes from the finish.

In the closing minute of normal time, Mooney was denied his double as a poor first-touch let him down when he was presented with the chance after Kearney and Healy combined to provide the assist. In the five minutes of added time, Harps pushed hard for a leveller, but the best chance saw sub Chris Breen drill over the crossbar.

Finn Harps (4-5-1): James Gallagher; Michael Funston, Jonathan Minnock, Marc Mukendi, Shaun Holmes; Conor Gethins, Neil McCafferty (Chris Breen 88), Shaun McGowan, Davy Byrne (Kevin Ramsey 32), David Tyrell (Marc Brolly 78); Stephen Parkhouse.
Subs not used: Austin Friel, Gavin Cullen.

Booked: Funston (33), Ramsey (38), McGowan (42), Minnock (56), McCafferty (61), Mukendi (91).

Cork City (4-4-2): Michael Devine; Neal Horgan, Dan Murray, Pat Sullivan, Danny Murphy; Darren Murphy, Colin Healy, Joe Gamble, Liam Kearney; Dave Mooney, John O'Flynn (Denis Behan 67).
Subs not used: Mark McNulty, Darragh Ryan, Cillian Lordan, Dave Meyler.

Booked: Darren Murphy (38), Horgan (88), Murray (91).

Referee: Richie Winter (Dublin).

Attendance: 1,300 (estimate)