Mervue United 1 - 3 Finn Harps

• Terry Flaherty
• Sat, Aug 07 2010


Finn Harps claimed all three points with a deserved 3-1 win over a struggling Mervue Utd side that were tasting their fifth consecutive defeat in the First Division at Terryland Park on Saturday night.

Mervue manager Tom French made six changes to the side which lost to Monaghan Utd last Friday night as Nicky Curran, Martin Conneely, Eric Browne, Mike Tierney, Rory Gaffney and keeper Padraig Lally came into the team.

Finn Harps manager James Gallagher made two changes to the side that drew with faltering league leaders Derry City last Friday night as Mark Forker and Keith Cowan replaced Tommy Bonner and Matthew Crossan.

The visitors got off to a flying start after just 4 minutes when a harmless ball forward created a mix up in the home defence with Nicky Curran and Eric Browne allowing Oisin McMeniman in on goals, and he finished well with a low shot into the bottom corner past Padraig Lally.

Harps doubled that lead on 27 minutes when Tony Shiels picked out Marc Brolly on the left with a cross field pass and his cross into the box was headed home by Davitt Walsh for a 2-0 interval lead.

Rory Gaffney created two great chances for the home side just after the break when firstly, a minute in, he picked out David Goldbey with a left wing cross but his effort was brilliantly saved by Gavin Cullen who blocked on the line.

Gaffney then picked out Evan Connolly on 52 minutes with another left wing cross but the striker headed his effort over the crossbar from inside the box. Mervue did pull a goal back in the 77 minute when David Ryan shot into the corner following a goalmouth scramble after a long Rory Gaffney throw.

Harps were two clear again though five minutes later when sub Chris Breen got on the end of a long pass forward and he brilliantly lobbed Lally from 25 yards with an excellent finish. The visitors finished the game with only ten men as Tony Shiels foolishly got himself sent off in injury time but the long journey home won’t be too bad for Gallagher’s men as they claimed all three points.

Mervue United: Padraig Lally; Nicky Curran, Mark Ludden, Martin Conneely, Eric Browne, Mike Tierney, Simon Walsh, Kevin Crehan (David Ryan 26 mins), Evan Connolly (Enda Curran 58 mins), David Goldbey, and Rory Gaffney.
Subs not used: James Casserley, Darren Young, Byran Mannion.
Booked:Simon Walsh (59 mins), David Ryan (65 mins), Enda Curran (90 mins)

Finn Harps: Gavin Cullen; James Doherty, Packie Mailey, Keith Cowan, Jonathan Minnock; Stephen McLaughlin, Tony Shields, Mark Forker, Marc Brolly (Chris Breen 63 mins); Davitt Walsh (Gary Whoriskey 89 mins) , Oisin McMenamin (Michael Funston 79 mins)
Subs not used: James Gallagher (GK).
Booked:Chris Breen (72 mins)
Sent-Off:Tony Shiels (93 mins)

Referee: John Grimes
Attendance: 150
Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Jonathan Minnock (Finn Harps)