GOAL . . .Filip Da Silva (grounded) makes it 2-0 to Finn Harps (Photo: Joe Boland, North West Newspix)
For the third home match in a row Harps had to settle for a point as Cobh Ramblers came from 2-0 down to deny the Donegal side the win.
Finn Harps . . . 2, Cobh Ramblers . . . 2
On their first visit to Ballybofey since May, 2018, Cobh looked in real trouble at half time as they trailed 2-0 to a Harps side who played so well in the opening half.
But after missing a penalty through Jack Doherty almost on the restart, Cobh got back in the game when Doherty volleyed home on 54.
The same player would more than make up for his penalty miss by scoring the equaliser on 71.
It was tough on the home side who produced their best performance of the season in front of another big crowd at Finn Park.
They were without the injured Keith Cowan and Cian Lynch along with Daithi McCallion who was called up to represent the Northern Ireland U19s in their UEFA Euro Elite round qualifiers which take place in France over the next week. It meant Rogers was forced to make three changes from the side that won last weekend in Longford.
Midfielder Noe Baba was deployed as a make-shift centre-half as Katlego Mashigo and Seamus Keogh returned to midfield and Okwuy Okwute started up top.
After kick-off was delayed by ten minutes after a supporter took unwell in the ground, the match exploded into life with the home side grabbing the lead inside the opening minute.
Caoimhin Porter’s cross from the right eventually fell the way of Okwuy Okwute inside the area and while his goalbound shot was blocked, Seamus Keogh followed up to produce a tidy finish into the bottom corner.
Seamus Keogh (No 11) scores the opening goal
Cobh responded well and Pierce Philips saw a shot go wide while Tim-Oliver Hiemer saved from a Brendan Frahill header.
But Harps were playing with energy and purpose and anytime they came forward, they caused the visitors problems.
The second goal arrived on 13 minutes – a corner from the left from Keogh was poorly defended and Filip Da Silva pounced to turn the ball home from close range.
Cobh were stunned, but to their credit they had their moments in an entertaining first half.
They finished the half well and Hiemer came to his team’s rescue with a brilliant stop to deny Wilson Waweru.
But 2-0 in front going into the second half, Harps had got themselves into a strong position to take all three points.
Cobh were presented with the perfect chance to get themselves back into the contest when they were awarded a penalty three minutes after the break.
Mashigo caught Frahill late with a challenge inside the box from Jack Doherty missed from the spot, sending his effort high and wide.
It was a big let-off for Harps but Doherty would make amends soon after, beating Hiemer with a perfectly executed volley to open Cobh’s account.
He scored again 19 minutes from the end, finding the bottom corner as a period of Cobh pressure paid dividends.
Harps ended the game with ten men after substitute Sean O’Donnell was shown a straight red card on 82 minutes following a foul on a Cobh defender.
And while they were under pressure during those closing minutes, they managed to hold out to take a deserved share of the spoils.
Finn Harps: Tim-Oliver Hiemer, Caoimhin Porter, Ryan Flood, Noe Baba, Ellis Farrar, Ryan Rainey, Katlego Mashigo, Seamus Keogh, Michael Harris (Shane McMonagle 61), Okwuy Okwute (Sean O’Donnell 76), Filip Da Silva.
Cobh Ramblers: Lee Steacy, Michael McCarthy (Jake Hegarty 87), Cian Browne, Brendan Frahill, Charlie Lyons, Pierce Philips, Dale Holland (Conor Drinan 77), Jason Abbott, Jack Doherty, Wilson Waweru, James O’Leary (Issa Kargbo 77).
Referee: Alan Patchell
