- Stephen Pollard
- Sun, Mar 16 2014
Shamrock Rovers B team suffered their first defeat in the SSE Airtricity League First Division at the hands of Finn Harps at Tallaght Stadium.
The goals for the Donegal men came by way of a first half header by Keith Cowan, a penalty by Michael Funston and a stunning strike from star man Pat McCann.
The visitors started in the ascendency with a free kick and corner from Carol Tiofack giving midfielder McCann the opportunity to open the Harps account. His first effort went over and the second headed wide.
Harps continued to push the issue without making much headway in terms of chances. The hoops on the other hand were hampered by offside calls which denied them chances to go in front.
Finally, after twenty seven minutes, the Hoops created a chance.Cowan fouled Chris Lyons twenty five yards from goal. From the place kick, up stepped Daniel Purdy who curled a free kick into the corner. Conor Winn flapped at it but got it clear in the end.
Scorer of a wonderful goal last Saturday in Cobh, Purdy was a man with confidence. This was again evident seven minutes before the break as he cut in from the right before hammering an effort wide of Winn’s post.
Emeka Onwubiko worked hard throughout the opening period, he may have got his reward before halftime as he swiveled inside the area before miscuing his shot wide.
Two minutes before the break, Harps snatched the lead. A corner from the right was cleared somewhat, it was headed back across goal by Damien McNulty and Cowan rose highest to send the visiting fans into raptures.
Just as the half time whistle was to be blown,creative mystro Funston attempted the spectacular. Lining up a corner from the left and taking a shot, it rippled the side netting but did not trouble Michael Kelly.
The second half began in a stop start motion, both sides struggling to get any rhythm to their play. That was until a James Doherty cross came inches from connecting with the head of Ruairi Keating’s head.
That changed in the 56th minute though. Keating weaved his way through the Hoops defence before Liam Traynor slid in to stop him. The unfortunate former Student handled the ball and after some hesitation, referee Ray Matthews pointed to the spot.
Up stepped the ever reliable Funston, who smashed the ball down the middle, narrowly missing the legs of Kelly and doubling Harps lead.
Just three minutes later, Funston turned provider, his corner from the left taking some deflections before falling to McCann who struck a beautiful effort into the top corner to all but seal the win for Harps.
The hosts could have blasted themselves back into the game moments later. The ever willing Purdy again striking an effort goalward, but again it was dragged wide and Lyons could not connect on its way through.
Rovers had another effort with 25 minutes remaining and guess who it was from. Purdy lined up to shoot, and for the third time he pulled it just wide of Winn’s post. The Hoops only threat to that point.
Another man in green and white finally made an impact in the opposing box as Lyons flicked the ball over Packie Mailey’s head before volleying an effort which was blocked at the last by McNulty .
The introduction of Cian Kavanagh saw a change in formation to 4-3-3 and that gave the home side a bit more impetuous even without creating many chances.
That was how it remained as Rovers could not break down the outstanding Harps rear guard and the Donegal side took home all three points to the north west.
Shamrock Rovers B: Michael Kelly; Liam Traynor, Sean Heaney, Corie Treacy, Evan Osam; Daniel Purdy, Ryan Coombes, Ryan Doolin, Kevin Knight (Cian Kavanagh 70); Emeka Onwubiko (Stephen Confrey 82), Chris Lyons (Mark Sandford 82).
Subs not used: Richard Fitzgibbon (GK), Alan Kehoe, Nathan Brown, Jack Watson.
Booked: Onwubiko (34).
Finn Harps: Conor Winn; James Doherty, Damien McNulty, Packie Mailey, Keith Cowan; Thomas Bonner; Johnny Bonner, Pat McCann, Michael Funston (Mark Forker 88); Carel Tiofack (Graham Fisher 82), Ruairi Keating (Paul McVeigh 73).
Subs not used: Sean Patton (GK), Ryan Curran.
Booked: Cowan (26), P Mailey (28), Keating (62)
Referee: Ray Matthews
Attendance: 260
Extratime.ie man of the match: Pat McCann (Finn Harps)
