- Gareth O'Reilly
- Fri, Jun 26 2015
Finn Harps lost their third straight game as they were beaten by Shelbourne in Tolka Park on a scoreline of 3-2 with Philly Hughes undoubtedly the hero for the home side after the veteran striker bagged himself a hat-trick.
In arguably the opening chance of the game for either side, Finn Harps managed to take the lead as a strike by Damien McNulty found the back of the net by evading the defender who was positioned on the goal line.
Three minutes later and Shels were in real trouble as referee Andrew Mullally judged Mark Sandford’s boot to be high and reckless when it connected with the shin of keeper Ciaran Gallagher, cue shouts from just about everyone wearing red.
The fact an early red card was shown certainly didn’t stem the aggressive nature of much of the first half’s challenges. A flurry of names from both sides would soon enter the referee’s notepad.
With Shels down to ten men Harps were well in control with the pace of Wilfred Tagbo a serious concern for the Shels rearguard. However despite the greater possession stats for the Donegal based outfit, the chances were few and far between for both sets of players.
With little happening it was hardly a surprise that another rash and ultimately clumsy challenge yielded the games next goal. A penalty was the decision of the referee when Adam O’Connor and Keith Cowen collided just inside the box. Philly Hughes stepped up to smash the ball down the middle and beyond Gallagher.
The second half was only 25 seconds old when Tony McNamee got on the end of a Gareth Harkin floated ball to poke beyond the already committed Greg Murray.
Not long after and another Philly Hughes penalty meant the team that had sat top of the First Division at the start of the day were behind. This time the spot kick was awarded following Keith Cowan fouling Hughes. The awarding of the penalty was not the surprising thing, it was referee Mullally’s decision to brandish the red card that surprised many in attendance – not the only call that left the 614 strong crowd wondering if they were confused as to the rules of the game.
Three minutes later and Hughes had his hat-trick as a rendition of “he scores when he wants” rang out around the Drumcondra venue. Hughes found a gap in between the defenders gaze and when the ball arrived at his feet he coolly and calmly converted beyond an approaching net-minder, Gallagher.
The Shels number nine nearly had a fourth as just minutes after banging in his third he saw his 25 yard drive bounce off the crossbar, hit the goal-line and roll away.
Harps also went close to getting another goal beside their name as Raymond Foy smashed wide when the Reds defence allowed him to advance onto the edge of the penalty area unchallenged.
And with that the game faded into the history books as Shels gained yet another valuable three points in this First Division season.
Shelbourne: Greg Murray; Adam O’Connor, Ryan Robinson, Sean Heaney, Evan Osam; Dylan McGlade Jake Donnelly (Paul Andrews 90), Craig Walsh, Conor Earley (Alan Kehoe 85); Phillip Hughes, (James English 77), Mark Sandford.
Subs Not Used: Eric Donnelly, Alan O’Sullivan, Conor Keely, Aaron Robinson.
Yellow Cards: Walsh (26), Earley (30), Heaney (60)
Red Cards: Sandford (14).
Finn Harps: Ciaran Gallagher; Damien McNulty, Keith Cowan, Packie Mailey (Garbhan Friel 68), Ciaran Coll; Matt Crossan (Tommy McMonagle 46), Raymond Foy (Josh Mailey 84), Tony McNamee; Wilfried Tagbo, Kevin McHugh, Gareth Harkin.
Subs Not used: Gareth Harkin, Tommy Lee McCarron, Oisin McMenimen, Jordan Toland.
Yellow Cards: Crossan (21), McNulty (76)
Red Cards: Cowan (52).
Referee: Andrew Mullally.
Attendance: 614.
Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Phillip Hughes (Shelbourne).
