Mervue United 2 - 2 Finn Harps

Mervue United and visitors Finn Harps played out an eventful 2-2 draw at Fahy’s Field in the Airtricity First Division on Friday night.

First-half goals from Mervue’s 16 year old starlet Ryan Manning and striker partner Brendan Lavelle were cancelled out by Harps in the second period through Thomas McMonagle and a Kevin McHugh penalty.

The draw sees no change at the top of the Airtricity First Division with Mervue remaining in pole position on eight points thanks to a marginally better goal difference.

The home side were second best in the early stages of the opening half as Harps denied Johnny Glynn’s side space and time on the ball.

The game itself was a tight and tense affair with neither side dominating possession or territory but Finn Harps looked to be the better footballing side early on.

In midfield Tommy McBride was pulling the strings and McHugh and Sean McCarron were causing Mervue problems at the back and, in truth, the home side’s opening goal on 23 minutes was a somewhat fortunate.

A routine back pass from midfielder Shaun McGowan fell glaringly short and Manning pounced to coolly round Harps’ goalkeeper Ciaran Gallagher to slot home his second senior goal in as many games. Manning will be in action again on Saturday for Mervue’s U-17 side as they host St Kevins Boys in the FAI Umbro Cup semi-final.

The game suddenly sparked into life as Harps pushed for an equaliser. Chances for Michael Funston, McBride and McHugh in between Mervue’s second goal showed just why Peter Hutton’s side are to be respected this season.

However, on 33 minutes Mervue full-back Paul Sinnott found himself outside Harps’ area and a sublime one two with Tom King set up Lavelle who swept the ball into the net from twelve yards. Mervue were now two goals to the good to the dismay of the large travelling contingent of Harps fans, but, as the half ended, the Donegal side were far from out of the game.

Mervue made a change at the break with Manning being replaced by Garry Shanahan and this severely curtailed the home side’s attacking outlet for the remainder of the game.

Harps increased the tempo and, on 56 minutes, Hutton’s troops were rewarded with a deserved goal through McMonagle. Funston’s corner wasn’t properly dealt with by the Mervue defence and the big centre-half bundled home his side’s first of the night.

Mervue’s Gary Curran had a shot deflected over the bar but Harps looked sure to grab the equaliser sooner rather than later. On 56 minutes a brilliant piece of skill from McBride in the middle of the park sent Marc Brolly away down the left in acres of space. His cross was handled by Sinnott in the box and McHugh scored his 158^th League of Ireland goal from the penalty spot, making him joint seventh on the all-time scorers list, equal to Shelbourne legend Stephen Geoghegan.

Another through ball from McBride which was destined for McHugh but the on-rushing Mervue Goalkeeper Connor Gleeson handled outside the area. Referee Kevin O’Regan deemed the offense only warranted a yellow card.

On 69 minutes Mervue were awarded a penalty of their own after Gallagher made a clumsy challenge on Lavelle. Jason Molloy took the resulting spot kick but the shot stopper made up for his mistake easily saving Molly’s meek effort.

From then on in either side could have taken all three points as the game became end to end stuff. McHugh was finding space in the final third of the pitch but the final ball was not forthcoming for the 33 year old.

Ballina native Brendan Lavelle found himself in a three on two situation but his pass to King was delayed and Harps defence recovered.

King came close to snatching victory on 88 minutes with a curling left-footed shot but it sailed agonisingly wide and a share of the spoils was the fairest result for both teams.

Mervue United: Connor Gleeson; Paul Sinnot, Michael McSweeney, Martin Connely, Marc Ludden; Tom King (c), Noel Varley, Gary Curran, Jason Molloy, Brendan Lavelle, Ryan Manning (Gary Shanahan 46)
Subs not used: Mike Elwood, Shane Keogh, Joe Woods, Kenny Farrell, Stephen Walsh, Gary Kelly.

Booked: Paul Sinnot (61), Connor Gleeson (65), Martin Conneely (86).

Finn Harps: Ciaran Gallagher; Damien McNulty, Thomas McMonagle, Keith Cowan, Matthew Crossan; Michael Funston, Shaun McGowan (Thomas Boner 58), Tommy McBride, Marc Brolly; Sean McCarron (Paul McVeigh 62), Kevin McHugh (c).
Subs not used: James Doherty, Mark Forker, Michael Doherty, Aaron O’Hagan, Shaun Patton.

Booked: Ciaran Gallagher (69)

Referee: Kevin O’Regan.
Attendance: 401
Extratime.ie man of the match: Tommy McBride (Finn Harps).