Airtricity League - First Division 6 March 2010

Harps Show Promise Despite Opening Defeat

Longford Town 3 (McDonagh 55, 69 mins; Hynes 57)

Finn Harps 2 (Lafferty 8 mins, Walsh 77 mins)

by Bartley Ramsay of the Donegal News in Flancare Park

Finn Harps opened their League campaign against Longford Town, with a defeat in Flancare Park on Saturday night, as they went down by the odd goal in five.  In what was an entertaining clash, Harps can consider themselves unlucky to have suffered defeat to a vastly changed Longford team.  In the opening fifteen minutes Harps completely dominated the home side, but, two goals in three minutes in the second half, due to poor defending, cost Harps dearly.

Harps took the game to the midlanders, from the start and it was no surprise when they opened the scoring in the eighth minute.   Debutant Johnny Lafferty, received the ball in the middle of the field.  Having turned his marker, he looked up and struck the ball from twenty-five yards out.   There was an element of luck, in that the shot took a deflection off Hyland, before looping over the Town keeper, Conlon and into the net.

Harps failed to capitalise on their superiority and allowed the midlanders to get a grip on midfield.  In particular the experienced John Lester and Cathal Brady, who both proved to be handful for the Harps midfield four.   Longford's first chance came after seventeen minutes.   JP McDonagh swung over a cross from the Harps right, which teenage goalkeeper Ciaran Gallagher failed to deal with, and it was left to James Doherty to clear the ball.   Longford were awarded a free-kick some twenty yards out a minute later.  The much travelled Lester stepped up to take it and saw his strike rebound into play off the crossbar.

Longford's defence had to be re-arranged due to an injury to captain Philip Byrne who left the field on thirty-three minutes to be replaced by former Bray player Chris Deans.  Harps continued to look dangerous when attacking down the wings in particular through Stephen McLaughlin.   It was from the Inishowen man's inch perfect cross that Marc Brolly, should have scored only to see his header clear the crossbar for a goal kick, eight minutes before the interval.

Five minutes into the second-half and McLaughlin, again, was the provider.   This time he took on the full back, Derek Tyrrell, before beating him and swinging in another excellent cross.    The returning Kevin McHugh, got on the end of the cross but was unable to direct his header on target. 

In the fifty-fifth minute Longford were level and the goal was a product of some poor defensive play.    Left back Matthew Crossan lost the ball close to the half-way line and failed to prevent Cathal Brady breaking down Harps left.  Brady looked up and  crossed deep into the box for the incoming, J.P. McDonagh, who met the ball at the back post and touched the ball into the net.

Worse was to follow for two minutes later from a Lester cross.  Former Dundalk and Shelbourne striker Peter Hynes met the cross perfectly to head past Gallagher, and put the home side in the lead.   The balance of play in the game had switched to Longford and it was little surprise when they added a third goal after sixty-nine minutes.  John Lester, this time from a corner, was again the provider, for McDonagh who appeared to have a free header at the back post.

To Harps credit they didn't accept the situation and certainly finished the game as the stronger side.    Mark Forker replaced Brolly after seventy-five minutes and two minutes later Harps pulled a goal back. 

Kevin McHugh played the ball into Davitt Walsh and the Kerrykeel native shot low and hard to the net, giving Conlon, no chance.   In a frantic end to the game Harps should have had the equaliser, they surely deserved, but with two minutes remaining Walsh was unlucky to see another shot strike the base of the post before being cleared.

Harps will no doubt point to the defensive lapses in an effort to explain why they didn't at least take a point home from this game.  Midfield, was another area in which Harps didn't perform to the best of their capabilities.   Johnny Lafferty had an encouraging debut and showed he has potential to establish himself in the team.   Michael Funston, though had a poor game despite giving his usual hardworking display.  Up front while Kevin McHugh was well marshalled, Davitt Walsh showed that he is going to be a real handful for defences this season.

Longford Town: Stephen Conlon, Derek Tyrell, Philip Byrne, Kevin Cronin, Gary Cronin, Cathal Brady, John Lester, Thomas Hyland, JP McDonagh, Peter Hynes, Derek Glynn. Subs: Chris Deans for Byrne 33mins: Ryan McEvoy for Hyland half-time; Mark Salmon for Hynes 83mins; Not Used Victor Ekanem and Fiachra McArdle  

Finn Harps: Ciaran Gallagher, James Doherty, Jon Minnock, Packie Mailey, Matt Crossan, Stephen McLoughlin, Michael Funston, Johnny Lafferty, Marc Brolly, Kevin McHugh, Davitt Walsh.  
Sub: Mark Forker for Brolly 75mins; Not Used Gary Whoriskey, Liam Mailey, Shaun McGowan and Oisin McMenamin. 

Referee: Philip Caschera (Dublin)  

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