Dundalk 0 - 2 Finn Harps
Credit:
Premier Division Dundalk suffered defeat in their opening pre-season match of the season as they went down by two goals to nil against a plucky Finn Harps side who at times looked like the top flight team themselves. Kevin McHugh was the match winner as his quickfire double after the half-time break was the difference.
After 10 minutes, it was Dundalk who had the first effort on goal after Keith Ward latched onto a loose ball on the edge of the Finn Harps box but his shot was closed down. Finn Harps then began to dominate and Mickey Funston forced Peter Cherrie to push the ball away after he shot across goal. Damien McNulty shot erratically from long range but his effort went high and wide.
It was midway through the opening period when Dundalk began to get a foothold in the game and a wonderful through ball by Ward found Kurtis Byrne but just as he was about to pull the trigger Keith Cowan made an inch perfect tackle to deny the striker. Ward was at it again just after the half hour when he found Byrne once more and this time the forward got his shot away but he could only drag it wide from 10 yards.
Kevin McHugh saw a free-kick go just over the bar just before the break but scoreless it remained as the referee called time on the opening period.
The second half continued much like the first with neither team able to gain control of the ball. However, on 52 minutes the visitors went in front. Harps broke with the ball and a brilliant cross from Mickey Funston on the left reached McHugh who rose highest to head past Cherrie in the Dundalk goal.
Stephen O’Donnell almost replied for the hosts but his long distance shot went just wide of Ciaran Gallagher’s left hand post. The Lilywhites did fall further behind just before the hour mark. Hesitancy by the Dundalk defence allowed Funston to get in behind and he got to the ball before Cherrie who brought him down leaving referee Paul McLaughlin no option but to point to the spot.
McHugh stepped up and calmly dispatched the spot kick. The game then became rather scrappy as both sides made a number of changes. With 20 minutes remaining substitute Paul McVeigh shot over from 20 yards before Dundalk had their own penalty appeal turned down when Sami Osobe fell under a challenge from Josh Mailey.
Substitute Tiarnan Mulvenna then went close for Dundalk as he rattled the cross bar from 10 yards. Richie Towell tried a speculative long range effort and brought a good save out of Gallagher once more. Stephen McDonnell had a good effort blocked while Dane Massey just couldn’t divert home a well worked corner.
That was as good as it got for Dundalk as Finn Harps closed out the victory at Oriel Park.
DUNDALK: Peter Cherrie; John Sullivan (Fergal McMahon 83), Mark Rossiter (Eoghan Osborne 63, Andy Boyle (Robert Maloney 83), Dane Massey; John Dillon (Darren Meenan 46), Richie Towell, Stephen O’Donnell (Stephen McDonnell 63), Keith Ward (Tiarnan Mulvenna 71); Patrick Hoban (Sami Osobe 63), Kurtis Byrne.
Subs not used: Brat Tucker(GK).
Bookings: None.
FINN HARPS: Ciaran Gallagher; Matt Crossan, Keith Cowan (Josh Mailey 46), Tommy McMonagle, Damien McNulty (Sean McCarron 78); Mickey Funston, Sean McGowan, Tommy McBride (Jordan Duffy 78), Aaron O’Hagan (Matt Harkin 12), Ciaran Coll (Mark Forker 63); Kevin McHugh (Paul McVeigh 63).
Subs not used: Shaun Patton(GK), Johnny Bonnor.
Bookings: None
Referee: Paul McLaughlin.
Attendance: 400 (estimate)
Extratime.ie man of the match: Kevin McHugh (Finn Harps).
