Mervue United 1 - 0 Finn Harps

Mervue Utd ended the season with a win fashioned from a late winner from Alex Lee as they defeated Finn Harps for the third time at Fahy’s Field this season to end a four game run of defeats. The result pushes them up a place in the final table for a seventh place final standing in the First Division.

Harps had the ball in the net after three minutes when Blaine Curtis managed to beat Ger Hanley at the second attempt but that effort was ruled out for offside. Kevin McHugh's initial shot had been parried to Curtis by Hanley but he fired his first shot off the post before netting his second effort in an offside position.

Mervue winger Etanda Nkololo did well on seven minutes weaving his way into the Harps box but then delayed his shot as Packie Mailey got back to clear from close range. Another display of skill from Nkololo on 12 minutes saw him leave two Harps defenders in his wake before advancing through the middle and unleashing a low drive which Ciaran Gallagher did very well to get down and push away for a corner.

Ger Hanley made a good stop from a close range Aaron O’Hagan header just past the half hour mark, while Pat Hoban hooked an effort just over Gallagher’s crossbar from a David O’Brien cross from the right on 37 minutes as the first half ended scoreless.

Kevin McHugh wasted a great opportunity ten minutes after the break when he failed to trouble Hanley after a James Doherty pass found him unmarked in the box. Three minutes later and Gallagher did very well to push away an Alex Lee effort that was destined for the top corner.

Gallagher did well again on 62 minutes as he pushed away an on target Jason Molloy's free-kick for a corner as the home team started to press for the opening score. At the other end Gary Curran shot narrowly wide and Stephen O’Donnell had a shot blocked down by Mike Elwood as Harps looked for hand ball in the box.

With time running out and an end of season scoreless draw on the cards the home team produced a late winner for once. Sub Marc Ludden teed up fellow sub Dave Goldbey for a shot which beat Gallagher only for Mailey to get back and head a goal-line clearance up into the air which allowed Lee arrive to touch home the winner.

Mervue Utd : Ger Hanley, David O’Brien, Kenny Farrell, Mike Elwood , Martin Conneely , Barry McEntee (Marc Ludden ’80), Jason Molloy, Alex Lee, Noel Varley, Etanda Nkololo (Dave Goldbey ’73), Pat Hoban (Brian Connolly ’92).

Subs not used: Brian O’Donoghue (GK).

Booked : Jason Molloy’21, Martin Conneely ’29

Finn Harps: Ciaran Gallagher; James Doherty, Gareth Harkin, Aaron O’Hagan (Keith Cowan ’46), Packie Mailey, Mark Forker, Thomas Bonner, Gary Curran, Blaine Curtis, Kevin McHugh (Barry O’Mahoney ’68) and Stephen O'Donnell.

Subs Not Used: Chris Patton (GK).

Booked : Stephen O'Donnell ’24, Keith Cowan ’47, Thomas Bonner ’61.

Referee: Alan Sherlock

Attendance: 264

Extratime.ie Man of the Match – Noel Varley (Mervue Utd) All action committed display from the midfielder who made his modelling debut on Friday night!