Finn Harps 2 - 2 Cobh Ramblers

DARYL Kavanagh rescued a dramatic point for Cobh Ramblers, as his 93rd minute equaliser broke Finn Harps hearts at Ballybofey tonight.

Goals from new signings Neil McCafferty and Davy Byrne looked to have sealed a win for Harps that would have put them nine points above the southerners. Davin O'Neill had given Cobh hope with a 61st minute penalty, but still it looked as if Harps would hold on - until Kavanagh popped up right at the death to secure a point for Stephen Henderson's team.

Paul Hegarty's starting eleven showed three alterations from that which begun against Shamrock Rovers a fortnight earlier. Suspension prevented Stephen Parkhouse from playing while injury ruled Shaun McGowan and Declan Boyle out of the equation.

Michael Funston returned from a ban while Davy Byrne and Chris Breen were the others to profit and be recalled.

Neither team had played since their last League game two weeks ago, both having already exited the FAI Cup. John Kearney came in for Ken Coleman in the only change made to the Ramblers line-up. Harps had a couple of early warning shots with Colin O'Brien having a tenth minute effort that clipped the crossbar on the way over while Daryl Kavanagh just couldn't keep his balance and volleyed over. Kavanagh then flashed one wide of the target from 25 yards.

In between times, Harps' first opening saw the lively Michael Funston power his way into the box to get a sight of goal, but from ten yards the midfielder was denied by James McCarthy, who was on hand to pick up the pieces before the Bonagee man could get a touch to the rebound.

Just after the half-hour mark, Harps hit the front in delightful fashion. Shaun Holmes found Neil McCafferty with a neat ball down the left flank. The former Derry City man feigned to shoot with his right before cracking past McCarthy with his left, for his first goal in Harps colours.

Chris Breen could have made it two before half-time, but he shot at the goalkeeper when he spun onto his left boot after being set-up by Funston's nod-down.

Eight minutes into the second-half, Mikey O'Shea connected with a cross by O'Neill, but the striker couldn't keep his header down.

A minute short of the hour, Harps doubled their advantage. Chris Breen slipped Davy Byrne in on goal and he kept his cool to drive home and open his Harps account. For the second home game in succession, however, Byrne was forced to limp off with injury, the ex Athlone Town man hobbling off twelve minutes from time to be replaced by Shaun McGowan.

The home team's two-goal cushion stood for just two minutes, however. Funston was penalised by referee Dave McKeown having been adjudged to have unfairly impeded Kavanagh and Davin O'Neill stepped up to slot the resulting spot-kick past James Gallagher.

Shaun Holmes came within a whisker of adding a third, but the full-back drove a low effort wide after Gethins rolled a free-kick into his path. Kavanagh had an 87th minute effort deflected wide by Minnock, but with what was almost the last kick of the game, he made up for it as he fired low under the body of Gallagher from close range.

Finn Harps: James Gallagher; Aaron Labonte, Jonathan Minnock, Stuart Malcolm, Shaun Holmes; Chris Breen (David Tyrell 80), Neil McCafferty, Davy Byrne (Shaun McGowan 78), Marc Brolly; Michael Funston, Conor Gethins.
Subs not used: Gavin Cullen, Austin Friel, Marc Mukendi.

Cobh Ramblers: James McCarthy; Alan Carey, Kevin Murray, Shane Guthrie, Johnny Meade; Davin O'Neill (Graham Cummins 65), Greg O'Halloran, Colin O'Brien (Ray Lally 35), John Kearney (Alan Kearney 70); Daryl Kavanagh, Mikey O"Shea.
Subs not used: Conor Meade, Steven Mulcahy.

Referee: Dave McKeown.

Attendance: 893