O’Sullivan wonder goal denies brave Harps at Turner’s Cross

Main pic: Sean Patton who came close to scoring his third goal in as many games for Finn Harps tonight. Pic: NorthWest NewsPix.

A brilliant 63rd minute strike from teenage sensation Cathal O’Sullivan was enough to give league leaders Cork City a narrow 1-0 victory over a hard working Finn Harps tonight at Turner’s Cross. 

Cork City 1

Finn Harps 0 

Harps made the long journey south to take on the runaway Division One league leaders Cork City and Darren Murphy will certainly feel his side deserved something for their efforts. 

The home team has been very impressive so far this season and before this evening’s game held a fifteen point lead at the top of the table, already looking a shoe-in to take the title and secure a return to the Premier Division next season.                  For Finn Harps, any kind of a positive result would be a bonus in their quest to maintain a challenge for a Play-Off spot.

Murphy made four changes from last week’s win over Kerry FC with Conor Tourish, Stephen Doherty, Dave Cawley and Aaron McLaughlin all coming into the starting line-up with new signing Gavin Gilmore on the bench.                                          Harps started well with Sean Patton shooting just wide. Conor Tourish headed just wide from a corner and Jamie Watson’s shot from distance just clearing the crossbar in the first few minutes.                                                                                                      After taking time to settle, Cork worked their way into the game and created an opening in the 16th minute when Evan McLaughlin’s shot hit Malik Dijksteel and headed goalwards but Harps survived with some solid defending and a bit of good fortune. The chances dried up and as things got a bit heated – Harps picked up a few yellow cards while a couple of Cork players were fortunate not to join them .                                                                                                                                                        Conor Tourish went close again in the 34th minute, his header clipping the post from Barry McNamee’s free-kick and then he denied Jack Doherty with a super tackle in the 45th minute. It remained scoreless at the break and Harps were well in the game. 

Early second-half yellow cards for Ryan Rainey and Sean Patton brought Harps total to four and under pressure to avoid giving the home team a numerical advantage with plenty of time remaining.                                                                                        Harps made a triple substitution in the 60th minute with Max Johnston , Gavin McAteer and debutant Gavin Gilmore coming in to freshen things up.                                                                                                                                                                          But three minutes later Cork took the lead. And what a goal it was from young Cathal O Sullivan who curled a screamer past Tim Heimer from 25 yards giving the Harps keeper no chance.                                                                                                                  Harps made another couple of changes with Darragh Coyle and Noa Baba coming in, and pushed hard to get something from this game. Gavin Gilmore had a shot saved, Sean Patton’s header was deflected out for a corner and finally Gavin McAteer’s shot was saved in the 94th minute .                                                                                                                                                A good hard working performance from Harps against the league leaders and only beaten by a piece of real class and skill by the super talent of teenager Cathal O Sullivan.                                                                                                                                             In tonight’s other games there were wins for Athlone Town and Wexford Youths over Longford and Cobh while Kerry Fc v Bray Wds and UCD v Treaty Utd both finished in draws. Harps remain in fourth place and travel to take on Treaty next Friday night. 

Cork City ; Brad Wade , Cian Coleman , Charlie Lyons, Greg Bolger , Malik Dijksteel ( Cian Murphy 68mins), Evan McLaughlin , Barry Coffey ( Aaron Healy 80mins), Conor Drinan ( Josh Fitzpatrick (67mins), , Darragh Crowley , Jack Doherty , Cathal O Sullivan ( Matthew Kiernan 87mins),                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Finn Harps; Tim Heimer , Jamie Watson, Conor Tourish (Noa Baba 78mins),  Matthew Makinson , Stephen Doherty ( Darragh Coyle 72mins) , Ryan Rainey ( Max Johnston 60mins),  Dave Cawley , Tony McNamee, Aaron McLaughlin ( Gavin Gilmore 60mins), Sean Patton ,  Patrick Ferry ( Gavin McAteer 60mins).