Gethins and Breen give Harps vital win

June 1 , 2007

Finn Harps………3

Limerick 37……...0

CHRIS McNULTY

reports from Finn Park

CHRIS Breen netted on what was his final game in Finn Harps colours and Conor Gethins bagged a second-half brace as Paul Hegarty's side impressively overcame Limerick 37 at Finn Park last night.

The win means that Harps have now recorded back-to-back League wins for the first time this season and manager Hegarty was pleased to get the win that brings Harps a little closer to the play-off spot.

“We've now got two very good results, but it just goes to show you that you don't always get what you deserve. I think the boys showed a great attitude there tonight, they worked their socks off and fully deserved their win,” said Hegarty.

“It was a pressure game and that is all the more credit to the players, playing under pressure like that. It's two clean sheets on the spin there and that's another very big positive.

“There are a lot of positives. The performance wasn't great but the result was all that mattered.”

Limerick 37 came to Finn Park last night on the back of an unbeaten series of six games that saw them stay in touch with Dundalk and Cobh at the business end of things, but the Breen-Gethins combination ensured that they left the Twin Towns empty handed.

After Kevin Waters missed two early opportunities to open the scoring for the visitors, Harps edged in front on 24 minutes when Breen marked an emotional evening for him in the best possible fashion.

Shaun Holmes' scuffed shot caused some panic in the Limerick box and the ball broke to Breen, who swivelled onto his left peg before driving low into the bottom corner past David Ryan.

Conor Gethins was then denied by a fine intervention from the Limerick ‘keeper when his determination saw him break through and Shaun McGowan had his effort from 20yards deflected wide for a corner.

Finn Park breathed a sigh of relief in the opening minute of the second half when midfielder Joey Maloney found himself in space at the back post, but he drove a powerful effort wide of the target.

Harps goalie James Gallagher came to his side's rescue when he saved well from right back Peter White.

White wormed his way through the Harps defence and carved out a shooting chance, but Gallagher got down well to his right to turn away his shot.

Pat Purcell and Shaun Holmes traded chances before Harps got their second 15 minutes from time when they were awarded a penalty after Purcell handled Breen's cross.

Conor Gethins stepped up and neatly tucked home into the bottom corner, sending Ryan the wrong way in the process.

And, after Gethins and Parkhouse missed glorious chances for a third, the Lifford native broke clear and slotted home a third three minutes into added time to put a gloss on what was a fine showing from the Donegal side.

They now enjoy a two-week break from action with an away FAI Cup tie again Galway United on June 15 th the next task.

Finn Harps: James Gallagher; Sean Roddy, Shaun Holmes, Declan Boyle, Eloka Asokhu; Tony Shields, Chris Breen, Shaun McGowan, Jonathan Minnock; Stephen Parkhouse, Conor Gethins. Subs: John O'Loughlin (for Breen, 79mins); Gavin Cullen (for Gallagher, 85mins).

Limerick 37: David Ryan; Peter White, Brian Buckley, Paul Finnucane, Pat Purcell; Conor Molan, Joey Maloney, Anthony Hayes, Padraig Moran; David Wall, Kevin Waters. Subs: Gary Sheehan (for Moran, 62mins); Peter McCarthy (for Hayes, 62mins); Ross Cosgrave (for Molan, 70mins).

Referee: Mr. Tom Connolly (Dublin)