FINN HARPS must think they’ve no luck – after losing 2-1 at home to St Pat’s last night.
Even when they do get a penalty (which they did) it came too late to make a difference.
Following an even first half that offered little in terms of quality, the Inchicore side took the lead in through a lucky (for them) goal.
Conan Byrne’s corner ricocheted off Packie Mailey at the back post in the 68th minute to give the away side the lead.
There was no doubting the quality of the second goal ten minutes later as Mark Timlin slid the ball home under Richard Brush.
Harps rolled up their sleeves and got stuck in, but Kevin McHugh’s 91st minute goal from the penalty spot proved a consolation.
Had Ryan Curran’s wonder shot in the 62nd minute gone in to the Pat’s net instead of off the woodwork, it might have been a different story.
Or had Harps been awarded a penalty shortly afterwards after Mailey was dragged down in the box by Jason McGuinness as the Harps man tried to meet a cross from a corner, then it would have been a different outcome in Ballybofey.
But it wasn’t to be. Ollie Horan and his players can take heart from matching the Dubliners in a tight game, dominating them at times.
Finn Harps: Richard Brush; Damien McNulty, Packie Mailey, Keith Cowan, Ciaran Coll; Dave Scully, Gareth Harkin, Sean Houston (Liam Flatley 82), Ethan Boyle (Michael Funston 53), Tony McNamee; Dave Scully (Kevin McHugh 82).
St Patrick’s Athletic: Brendan Clarke; Michael Barker, Darren Dennehy (Jason McGuinness 60), Sean Hoare, Ian Bermingham; Conan Byrne, David Cawley, Mark Timlin, Shane McEleney, Billy Dennehy; Christy Fagan.
Referee: Ben Connolly
