Finn Harps 0 - 3 Galway United

• Alan Foley
• Sat, Jun 13 2009


Ten-man Finn Harps bowed limply out of the FAI Cup against Galway United in Ballybofey last night, a sobering wake-up from the optimism of the last few weeks.

James Gallagher’s team, who had Michael Funston dismissed in the first half, were well beaten by Ian Foster’s side, who wasted plentiful potentially fruitful opportunities over the course of the 90 minutes at a scantly attended Finn Park. In the end, their total was courtesy of Vinny Faherty’s brace and a deflected free-kick from Jay O’Shea. Harps, after being unbeaten in their last three, now have a bleak horizon with no cup involvement and a sanctuary in the bottom half of the First Division.

There had been a couple of warning shots, but on 15 minutes, the Premier Division outfit took the lead with a well crafted and concluded goal. Derek O’Brien cut down the Galway left in the shadows of the clubhouse and his dinked cross was met plumb on by the incoming Faherty, who headed competently past Gavin Cullen.

Harps’ cause was not helped by the straight red card handed out to Michael Funston on 29 minutes. The midfielder was embarking on a progressive run across the face of the Galway penalty area when he appeared to be fouled by a clumsy challenge from John Russell.

However, match referee penalised the Harps player and while Russell was still on the ground, Funston swung his first, although not ferociously, but made sufficient contact, which prompted an instant red.

In the 32d minute, Galway’s Declan Edwards hit the outside of the post from a shot from the edge of the area, and Harps were certainly a touch fortunate not to have their arrears doubled. Although Galway, and Faherty from another O’Brien cross, passed another chance to make it two, the next inscription on the scoresheet should really have been the name of Johnny Havlin.

From by far the best of a few pops at goal from free-kicks, Gary Whoriskey forced Barry Ryan to palm out from in front of his body, but Havlin blazed the rebound over from a matter of yards.

Having looked the gift horse in the mouth, Harps were made pay in the opening stages of the second half. On 50 minutes, substitute Jason picked up possession before sliding in Faherty, who trundled the ball across Cullen for two.

Then, within a minute, the roof totally collapsed on Harps when O’Shea’s free from the edge of the box clipped the top of the hosts’ wall and nestle just inside the post with the goalkeeper stuck to the spot.

If the contest hadn’t fizzled out before that, it certainly did afterwards with little in the form of goalmouth action as both teams ran through the motions, and by the conclusion, possessed very different emotions.

Finn Harps: Gavin Cullen; Johnny Havlin (Marc Mukendi 71), Packie Mailey, Shaun McGowan, Ciaran Coll; Christy Conaghan (Oisin McMenamin 60), Michael Funston, Sean Houston, Gary Whoriskey; Mark Forker, David McDaid (Ruairi Harkin82).

Galway United: Barry Ryan; Seamus Conneely, Gareth Breen, Shane Guthrie, John Russell; Jay O’Shea (Ciaran McBrien 63), Michael McGrath, Iaflaith Daveron, Derek O’Brien (Mark O’Toole 27), Vinny Faherty, Declan Edwards (Jason Molloy 46).

Referee: Tommy Connolly.