Report: Galway United 2 - 2 Finn Harps

Galway United were denied a much needed home win by Stephen Parkhouse in an error-ridden encounter at Terryland Park this evening. Parkhouse’s stunning equaliser gave Finn Harps their first points since a win over UCD in March, and maintains their four point advantage over Galway at the bottom.

Coming into the game on the back of two good results, Galway kept faith with the starting eleven from the League Cup victory in Sligo. Harps made four changes, with Parkhouse returning after injury to partner Conor Gethins up front.

The home side were busy and neat in possession early on, as Stephen O’Flynn and Vinny Faherty’s aerial threat posed the Harps defence some nervous moments. James O’Shea had a glorious chance after only five minutes, but dragged a shot across goal which caused chaos but resulted in a Harps’ free-kick.

O’Shea is beginning to find his feet at Galway, and his cross soon after gave O’Flynn a chance, but his weak header gave James Gallagher little problems. Gary Deegan volleyed on target as Galway looked the more likely.

But Gethins always poses a salient threat for the northerners, and hooked a shot agonisingly wide 21 minutes into the tie. O’Flynn then released O’Shea, but the winger once more couldn’t find the target.

Galway got reward for their early dominance in bizarre fashion on 29 minutes. A hopeful long ball posed no threat to the Harps centre halves, but as they both decided to leave the ball to each other, John Russell capitalised and waltzed in on goal before firing low under Gallagher’s dive.

As Harps looked down the barrel once more, Gethins showed cool composure to draw the sides level within 90 seconds. Shaun Williams cross was diverted into Gethins path by Parkhouse, and the pacy striker glided into the area beyond Wes Charles and coolly rounded Rogers to score.

A bitter blow for Kenna’s men, who struggled to refind their early form. O’Brien charged forward on the stroke of half time, but couldn’t find his range from outside the area.

Harps were almost gifted the lead six minutes after the interval, when Rogers dropped a long distance free-kick, and Williams tried to volley through a crowd of players but couldn’t keep his effort down.

Galway survived, and took the lead four minutes after. Mark Leech, on for O’Flynn at the break, tried to set up O’Shea, who seemed to be covered by Shaun Holmes. The defender slipped though, and the winger drove home at the near post from ten yards.

Surely Galway could hang on now, but careless loss of possession cost them dear with nineteen minutes remaining. Harps broke at pace following a Galway throw in, and as the covering defenders aligned once more, Chris Breen shot from the edge of the box. Blocked by Marc McCulloch, the ricochet fell to Parkhouse, who illuminated the game with a fabulous left foot shot which no keeper would have got to.

A point in hand, Harps were content to play on the break from there on in, and meted out some hefty treatment to Derek O’Brien. However, the free-kicks in dangerous positions were squandered and Galway will have to go another week in search of an elusive three point haul.

Galway United: Gary Rogers; Reg Nooitmeer, Wes Charles, John Fitzgerald, Marc McCulloch; Jay O'Shea, John Russell, Gary Deegan, Derek O'Brien; Stephen O'Flynn (Mark Leech 46), Vinny Faherty (Derek Glynn 87)
Subs not used: Alavin Rouse, Paul Sinnott, Ollie Fenn.

Finn Harps: James Gallagher; Aaron Labonte, Declan Boyle, Stuart Malcolm, Shaun Holmes; Chris Breen (Michael Funston 75), Shaun McGowan, Tony Shields, Shaun Williams; Stephen Parkhouse, Conor Gethins.
Subs not used: Gavin Cullen, Marc Mukendi, Marc Brolly, Corny Gallagher.

Referee: Anthony Buttimer.

Attendance: 1,276

Man of the Match: James O'Shea (Galway United).