Finn Harps 2 - 3 Mervue United

• Alan Foley
• Sun, May 09 2010


Finn Harps slumped to a humiliating defeat at the hands of a Mervue United side that arrived at Finn Park with a string of absentees and without a win from their 10 previous outings.

The result means that the Ballybofey side have now not won in five in the league and will be looking for a significant improvement in form as the league begins its second series of game.

Two goals in the opening five minutes from Evan Connolly and Rory Gaffney meant the hosts were on the back foot all night, and although they pulled a goal back in the second half through Kevin McHugh, it was a limp showing and the comeback never materialised. Gaffney sped away to restore the two-goal cushion in the last minute and while McHugh another goal, it was too little, too late.

Minus the services of Jonathan Minnock and Matthew Crossan, both of whom were suspended having been sent off against Derry City on Tuesday night, James Gallagher had to wedge a few square pins into round holes.

James Doherty was pushed into centre-back with Michael Funston dropping to right back. But Harps’ makeshift defence was under pressure from the off. With barely a couple of minutes gone, Mervue took the lead following a long throw-in was flicked on by Gaffney. Harps failed to deal with the ball in their box and Connolly stabbed into an empty net after Harps goalkeeper Liam Mailey deflected a Pat Hoban shot onto crossbar.

With the home team at sixes and sevens, Mervue almost doubled their advantage moments later. An inexperienced back four were caught too far up the park, which saw Gaffney stride into the wide open spaces and from the right flank he almost caught Liam Mailey unaware with an inventive chip. The ball flew narrowly over the ball as the Harps goalkeeper frantically chased back.

The warning signs were ignored, as, on five minutes the Harps rearguard were once more sucked forward and from Barry McEntee's ball through, Gaffney made amends when he scooped the ball over Mailey for a second goal that almost fell over the line in slow motion. A pin could be heard drop.

Tom French had his problems too, though, with a squad riddled with injuries as the westerners sought their first win of the campaign. Darren Young, David O’Dowd, Martin Conneely, Mike Elwood, Ollie Keogh, Phillip Ryan and David Goldbey all failed to start, while the Curran brothers, Enda and Nicky, were both also unavailable through suspension and work commitments respectively.

Despite the patchwork nature of their line-up, Mervue’s good start meant their remnants had something to hold on to. Harps did threaten on a handful of occasions as the first half drew to a close, but the visitors headed for the dressing room with a two goals to nil lead.

Harps’ best chances saw Johnny Lafferty’s optimistic shot land on the roof of the net, McHugh’s brilliant run and shot well-saved by Ger Hanley and a Gary Whoriskey free graze the crossbar.

Harps got themselves back into the game on 48 minutes when Doherty weaved a little magic in the middle of the field and having beat two or three hopeful challenges, rolled the ball perfectly onto a plate for Hugh, who beat the advancing Hanley.

The scattered home attendees might have thought that would prove a springboard for a comeback, but as Mervue sat back, the only time that Harps posed a serious question was when Lafferty played Fintan Bonner into space. However, the winger’s touch was too heavy and Hanley came from his line to smother.

However, as Harps needs became greater, they pushed forward and with Gaffney looking lively all night, it was he who would settle the issue in the final minute when he paced away and drove across the brows of Liam Mailey on the breakaway.

From the restart Harps did pull a goal back, again, when Funston played McHugh in and the former Derry City striker smashed the ball past Hanley. It was to prove the last act on a night of frustration for Harps, and delight for Mervue, and whatever remained of the home crowd made their feelings known at the end of the game.

Finn Harps: Liam Mailey; Michael Funston, James Doherty, Packie Mailey, Gary Whoriskey; Oisin McMenamin, Johnny Lafferty, Tommy Bonner, Fintan Bonner; Kevin McHugh, Stephen McLaughlin (Marc Brolly 76).

Mervue United: Ger Hanley; Barry McEntee, Eric Browne, Tommy Walsh, Dan Cunningham; Alex Lee (Kenny Farrell 53), Mike Tierney, Kevin Crehan, Evan Connolly; Pat Hoban, Rory Gaffney. (Noel Varley)

Referee: John Grimes.