Finn Harps 4 - 1 Cobh Ramblers

Finn Harps hit the ground running in the Airtricity League First Division when an explosive first home outing of the campaign saw them on their way to fine win against old foes Cobh Ramblers.

The Ballybofey side enjoyed a reasonably fruitful first outing of the new season with a 1-1 draw at Waterford United seven nights’ beforehand with Sean McCarron on the mark and the Derry native continued where he left off against Cobh.

McCarron struck twice in a frantic first half and although Dave Hill’s side opened their season in even more spectacular fashion than Harps – winning 5-0 against Wexford Youths – their defensive frailties let them down in the north-west. McHugh, typically, was on the mark again for his second of the night when he headed home a neat cross from Paul McVeigh.

Two of their three first half concessions – McHugh had got Harps second in between McCarron’s brace – were avoidable, although Harps’ high energy approach certainly unsettled their visitors.

After only four minutes, McCarron had opened the Finn Park goal portfolio for the season. McHugh played Marc Brolly into space on the left and although the winger’s cross was into the right area, Garry Collins was first to the ball. The centre-half’s clearance, however, failed to make it out of the area and McCarron tucked home.

Just three minutes later, Peter Hutton’s Harps managed to double their advantage and again it was a goal that, although well taken, was as a consequence of misdemeanour at the back.

Damien McNulty’s long ball from the right-back berth was initially harmless but when Ian Long mis-controlled McHugh was in for a second, finishing low with ease past Robert Birdsall.

Cobh managed to get back into the match on 28 minutes, when, following constructive approach play from Andrew Bhandarker and Martin Deady. The latter’s squared ball was met by Conor Meade, who neatly dinked over Ciaran Gallagher as he scampered from his goal.

Whatever good work was achieved from pulling a goal back, though, was almost instantly undone by Cobh. On 31 minutes, Brolly got the second chance at a delivery after his corner was cleared and from the angle of the box clipped onto McCarron’s head and Harps were 3-1 up at the break.

The last time Harps and Cobh were together in the First Division back in 2007 they shared a marathon season of positive results only for Stephen Henderson’s Cobh to wander to the title on the last day of the season.

Twelve months later Harps and Cobh fell through the trapdoor of relegation side by side but it was the south-westerners who didn’t even have the basement for solace having failed to obtain a league licence till this season.

A hamstring injury denied McCarron any chance of a hat-trick and in his absence there were opportunities for Thomas McMonagle from a fizzler from long range that flew over the top and a McHugh header off the mark from Brolly’s corner.

Sean McGowan also pierced the night air from the edge of the area and Michael Funston flashed a volley cross goal. It was all Harps. Funston was then denied by the feet of Birdsall as the roof threatened to fall in on Cobh.

They managed to keep it standing – bar McHugh’s well taken fourth but it could’ve been worse. Harps will be delighted ahead of next Saturday’s visit of Longford Town.

Finn Harps: Ciraran Gallagher; Damien McNulty, Thomas McMonagle, Keith Cowan, Matthew Crossan; Paul McVeigh, Michael Funston, Shaun McGowan (Thomas Bonner 90), Marc Brolly; Sean McCarron (Aaron O’Hagan 54), Kevin McHugh.
Subs not used: .

Cobh Ramblers: Robert Birdsdall; Ian Long, Brian Fitzgerald, Gary Collins, John Meade; Alan O’Flynn (Jason Carson 70), Andrew Bhandarker, Michael O’Shea, Martin Deady; Davin O’Neill, Conor Meade.
Subs not used: .

Referee: Ray Matthews.

Attendance: 610.

Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Kevin McHugh (Finn Harps).