Finn Harps 0 - 0 Monaghan United

• Aidan O'Donnell
• Sun, May 30 2010


MONAGHAN United moved joint third in the First Division table after they picked up a point against Finn Harps in Ballybofey on Saturday night.

Mick Cooke’s side are now level with Limerick on twenty-four points while their opponents, Harps, are six points further back.

The Donegal side are now unbeaten in three with seven points ascertained since the start of the second series of games – keeping clean-sheets in each outing to boot.

Harps manager James Gallagher played for the third consecutive game and his side maintained good organisation and shape that has been evident since he stepped out of the shadows against Longford Town three weeks ago.

Despite the scoreline, it was fairly well contested affair with each side enjoying a number of opportunities to break the deadlock over the course of the ninety minutes.

In an industrious opening quarter of an hour, there were chances at both ends with Karl Bermingham forcing James Gallagher into a diving save after he had been played through by Philly Hughes, while at the other end Gabriel Sava had to be at full-stretch to tip over a half-volley from Marc Brolly.

The visitors were then forced to make a change after just sixteen minutes when towering midfielder Alan Byrne limped off injured, with Stefan McKevitt coming on in his place. McKevitt moved to right-back with Aidan Collins slotting into midfield to partner Dan Tierney.

Full-back James Doherty went close on nineteen minutes as he tore into the box, latching onto a loose ball, before drilling inches wide via a deflection. A few minutes later, Barry Clancy was unfortunate with a header from twelve yards after he had ghosted in around the back following a corner from Anthony Costigan.

Harps, though, appeared more threatening from open play with Marc Brolly causing problems down the left side with several mazy runs that troubled substitute McKevitt. Monaghan centre-half Conor McMahon was having some good tussles with lively Harps attacker Stephen McLaughlin.

Michael Funston shot wide for Harps while Philly Hughes saw a twenty-five yard free-kick drift agonisingly wide of the top right corner.

On the hour mark, Harps should have taken the lead after they broke on a quick counter. However, despite outnumbering the backtracking Monaghan defenders, the home side were ultimately let by their hesitant approach play, which allowed the visitors back-line time to get back and thwart the attack.

Monaghan almost took the lead in fortuitous circumstances when a Dan Tierney piledriver took a wicked deflection of McMahon’s head – the ball hitting the top side of the junction between crossbar and post.

After nutmegging Anthony Costigan on the right flank, Kevin McHugh was unlucky not to have found strike partner Stephen McLaughlin with his teasing cross that proved to be a little too close to Sava in the Monaghan goals.

Harps continued to probe and were only let down by moments of indecisiveness and at times, poor delivery to front pair McHugh and McLaughlin. Matthew Crossan had the best chance in the second half when the ball landed invitingly at his feet following a corner.

The defender coolly dummied before bettering the angle for himself on the edge of the area and shooting inches wide of Sava’s right-hand post.

Finn Harps: James Gallagher; James Doherty, Packie Mailey, Matthew Crossan, Gary Whoriskey; Mark Forker, Michael Funston, Tommy Bonner, Marc Brolly; Kevin McHugh, Stephen McLaughlin. Subs: Davitt Walsh, Aaron O’Hagan, Oisin McMenamin, Johnny Lafferty, Liam Mailey.

Monaghan United: Gabriel Sava; Aidan Collins, Aidan Lynch, Conor McMahon, Anthony Costigan; Cathal O’Connor, Don Tierney, Alan Byrne, Barry Clancy; Karl Bermingham, Philly Hughes. Subs: Philip Donnelly, James Clarke, Dean McMahon, Stefan McKevitt (Byrne, 16 mins), Darragh Hanaphy.

Referee: Paul Tuite (Dublin).