Waterford United 2 - 0 Finn Harps

• Brendan White
• Sat, Apr 24 2010


Waterford United remain top of the table following a 2-0 win against Finn Harps in the RSC on Friday night. Goals from Vinny Sullivan and Kevin Murray leaves the Blues two point clear of second place Derry City.

The Blues came into the game on the back of a disappointing defeat to Monaghan last Friday evening while Finn Harps grabbed a point with a 0-0 draw against Athlone. A big plus for the Blues was the midweek home debut of George O’Callaghan which was topped off with his first goal for the club in their 3-2 Munster Senior Cup win over Tramore AFC.

Neither team took hold of the game early on with no clear cut chances being created. The first chance of the game arrived after 7 minutes and fell to Finn Harps. Gary Dunphy gave the ball away cheaply in midfield to Marc Brolly, but his attempted chip was straight at Konopka.
Four minutes later and Brolly again had a chance but he skewed his left footed shot wildly to the left of the goal.

The opening goal of the game arrived after 21 minutes. Murray attacked O’Callaghan’s right wing free kick and the ball landed at the feet of Vinny Sullivan. Sullivan failed to control first time but swivelled superbly to create the space, and shot low with the outside of his right foot into the bottom corner for his 5th league goal of the season.

Three yellow cards in quick succession began to take the pace out of the game. Tommy Bonner received yellow for Harps, before Waterford’s strike force of Vinny Sullivan and Willie John Kiely picked up a card each.

George O’Callaghan began to run the show for Waterford, showing his immense range of passing and through balls. O’Callaghan and Paul McCarthy almost created a chance after 36 minutes, but after a neat interchange, the cross was blocked.

A minute later and Finn Harps had their best chance of the first half. Waterford got caught up-field and Harps counter attacked. The ball was played down the left wing to Michael Funston but his attempted through ball was superbly cut out by the chasing Murray.

John Hayes then entered the fray following an injury to Seamas Long, in a challenge he was booked for. The defender, in serious discomfort, was stretchered away to the waiting ambulance with an ankle injury.

One minute before half time and Harps had the Blues scrambling to clear. The ball fell to Marc Brolly, but a wall of Waterford players prevented the shot from hitting the target, after Konopka had flapped at the earlier cross.

Four minutes into the second half the Blues doubled their lead. James Doherty fouled Liam Kearney on the left touchline. O’Callaghan swung in a superb cross and Blues captain Murray rose unchallenged to brilliantly head into the far corner.

O’Callaghan’s class again began to show soon afterwards. O’Callaghan and Paul McCarthy linked up well after 59 minutes. After a quickfire one-two, McCarthy broke free but his attempted cross was blocked down.

Minutes later John Hayes headed superbly clear with two attackers ready to pounce after a James Doherty cross.

Waterford should have made it three with twenty minutes remaining. John Kearney played a superb cross field ball to Timmy Purcell on the right wing. He controlled and cross to Sullivan, but his header went harmlessly over the bar.

George O’Callaghan grabbed his first Blues goal on Tuesday and almost had his second after 73 minutes. Purcell laid the ball off to the Cork-man and he rifled a 30 yards screamer off the crossbar with Mailey beaten.

A flurry of substitutions followed as the game died out with Waterford always in control. Finn Harps night ended badly as Michael Funston was shown a straight red card from Referee Graham Kelly after a reckless, and very unnecessary, tackle on Timmy Purcell in the final minute.



Waterford United
Konopka, A. Carey, J Kearney, Murray, Long (Hayes 43’), Dunphy (Purcell 62’), L. Kearney, O’Callaghan, McCarthy, Sullivan, Kiely (Grincell 66’).
Substitutes not used: P. Carey, O’Sullivan,.

Booked: Kiely, Sullivan, Long.

Finn Harps
L. Mailey, Doherty, P. Mailey, Crossan, Whoriskey, McLaughlin (Walsh H/T), Funston, T. Bonner, Brolly (F. Bonner 75’), McHugh, Lafferty (Forker 75’).
Substitutes not used : , McMenamin, O’Gara.

Booked: T Bonnar, Whoriskey
Sent Off: Michael Funston.

Referee: Graham Kelly (Cork)

Extratime Man of the Match: George O’Callaghan.