Finn Harps began life without former manager Dave Rodgers with this away trip to Division One champions Galway United.
Rodgers’ assistant-manager Darren Murphy took charge of team matters at Eamonn Deacy Park on what would be night of celebration for the Galway faithful and a tough one for Harps after events of the last few days.
Galway United …1 Finn Harps…0
The home team dominated from the off and created a number chances, Stephen Walsh shooting wide from a Manley cross in the 11th minute, Francely Lomboto shooting just wide three minutes later and then Manley was denied by a last-ditch tackle in the 17th minute.
Three minutes later Manley had another chance but shot over from close range as Galway owned possession.
The breakthrough finally came in the 40th minute when sub Wassim Aduachria beat Matty Makinson and his cross was turned into the net by Stephen Walsh at the back post.
In injury-time of the opening half, Edward McCarthy went close to adding a second for Galway but Tuta turned his shot around the post for a corner and at the break it remained 1-0 at the break.
Indeed, Tuta saved well from David Hurley in the 50th minute as Galway started the second-half as they ended the first, pushing forward in search of more goals.
And in the 56th minute Edward McCarthy went close again , shooting just wide after beating three defenders and a minute later Wassim Aduachria shot just over.
Harps enjoyed a period of possession and Patrick Ferry was just wide with his effort.
Despite the home side’s dominance and to their credit Harps continued to battle hard and at only 1-0 behind were still in the game.
Galway went close again in the 84th minute, Max Hutchison clearing off the Harps line after goalscorer Stephen Walsh got on the end of a dangerous corner.
B J Banda tested Brendan Clarke in the 86minute with a shot from the edge of the box and in injury-time Harps went close again but Galway got the danger cleared and held onto their 1-0 lead to take the points.
Plenty of honest effort from Harps on the night but another defeat, they host Kerry FC on Friday night.
Galway United: Brendan Clarke; Killian Brouder, Regan Donelon (Oisín O’Reilly 68), Conor O’Keeffe, Robert Slevin; Aodh Dervin (Evan O’Connor 68), David Hurley (Vincent Borden 55), Francely Lomboto (Wassim Aouachria 31), Edward McCarthy; Robert Manley (David Tarmey 68), Stephen Walsh.
Finn Harps: Antonio Tuta; Kevin Jordan, Seamas Keogh, Matthew Makinson, Jamie Watson; Stephen Doherty (Daniel Stokoe 72), Patrick Ferry (Aaron McLaughlin 62), Ryan Flood, Tony McNamee (Caoimhin Bonnar 90), Ryan Rainey (Max Hutchison 72); Billy Banda Jr (Adam Duffy 90).
