Mervue United 2 - 1 Finn Harps

• Terry Flaherty
• Sat, May 14 2011


Two goals from winger Tom King, one in either half, saw Mervue United moved back to sixth in the table, while Finn Harps remain winless following the first round of First Division games.

In an almost forgettable first half, where it took 25 minutes to register a shot of any magnitude at either end, the home side did eventually fashion a chance nine minutes before the break.

Mervue won a corner on the right which left winger Mark Ludden delivered to the near post for King to head past Gallagher for the opening score. Dan Cunningham had earlier struck the first shot of the game on target but Gallagher gathered comfortably just past the half hour mark.

Two minutes before the break and Ger Hanley did well blocking a Garbhan Friel header following a Connaghan free-kick into the box as the home side went in a goal to the good at the break.

Mervue lost keeper Hanley at the break following a shoulder injury picked up just before the break as TJ Forde made his LOI debut for the second period. Gallagher did well to save a low curling Cunningham free-kick on 50 minutes and Martin Conneely fired the loose ball over the crossbar from 6 yards but it wouldn’t have matter anyway as he was flagged for offside.

Harps drew level five minutes later as Mark Brolly’s right wing free-kick was allowed to bounce in the box before flying into the far corner without another touch for 1-1. Mike Tierney show excellent control in the box before curling a good effort just over the crossbar with Gallagher beaten following good play between Cunningham and Molloy on 62 minutes.

Gaffney embarked on a run eight minutes later beating two defenders before advancing into the box but he struck his effort wide of Gallagher and the far post. Bonner headed a good delivery from Brolly wide at the other end, while Friel headed a Mark Forker corner badly wide following a free header on 73 minutes.

Gallagher came to Harps rescue again five minutes later when he bravely saved at the feet of Molloy as he bore down on goals. Harps then had a great chance to go in front with nine minutes remaining as Connaghan broke into box and rounded Forde but saw his effort brilliantly cleared off the goal-line by a covering James Casserely.

The visitors would rue that chance as two minutes later an excellent first time ball from Ludden released the speedy King through on the right, and as Gallagher advanced the winger lobbed a beautiful effort over the keeper and into the net.

Mervue comfortably saw it out after that, including three minutes of injury time as they finished the game on the attack with John Mountney shooting over following more good play involving Gaffney, Molloy and King.

Mervue United: Ger Hanley (TJ Forde ’46), Kevin Crehan, Dan Cunningham, Martin Conneely, James Casserely, Noel Varley, Tom King, Mark Ludden (David Goldbey ’84), Mike Tierney (John Mountney ’67)), Rory Gaffney and Jason Molloy.
Subs not used: Mike Elwood, David O’Brien, Alex Lee, Peter Dravins.

Finn Harps: Ciaran Gallagher; James Doherty, Packie Mailey, Paddy McLaughlin, Keith Cowan; Christy Connaghan (Gary Merritt ’85), Mark Forker, Thomas Bonner, Mark Brolly: Garbhan Friel and Kevin McHugh.
Subs not used: Aaron O’Hagan, Oisin McMenamin, Lee McFadden (GK)
Booked: Mark Forker ‘49

Attendance: 250

Referee: Conor Fitzgerald (Galway)

Extratime.ie Man of the Match – Tom King (Mervue United)