Late Gethins goal seals it for Harps

March 16, 2007

Finn Harps 2

Shelbourne 1

Chris McNulty at Finn Park

A Conor Gethins goal a minute and a half into stoppage time gave Finn Harps all three points from their clash with reigning Premier Division Champions Shelbourne at Finn Park last night.

Just when the tie seemed to be heading for stalemate after ex-Harps man Davitt Walsh levelled for Shels on 66minutes, Lifford native Gethins popped up to steal the win for the hosts.

New signing John O'Loughlin did the spadework down the right and when his cross was headed down by Seamus Brown, Gethins saw his deflected shot creep past Shels ‘keeper O'Dowd to send the Harps crowd into raptures.

It was tough justice on Shels who thought they had earned themselves what would have been their second won of the campaign, but their journey back to the capital was made empty handed.

Last night's game was the proverbial game of two halves, played in woeful conditions, with Harps enjoying the better of the first half while Shels were on top for large spells of the second 45minutes.

Harps had opened the scoring in the ninth minute of play when centre-half Gordon Simms got on the end of a set-piece from the left flank to send a looping effort beyond the helpless O'Dowd.

Paul Hegarty's side almost doubled their lead on 18minutes, but O'Dowd thwarted Gethins' attempt from 20yards, brilliantly tipping over the crossbar.

At the other end, Shels failed to really test James Gallagher in the opening half with their best opening seeing Chris Mulhall denied by a fine interception from Jonathan Minnock.

Dermot Keely's side settled brighter in the second period and after having a penalty appeal turned down on 46minutes when Michael Funston appeared to handle inside the area, Davitt Walsh's teasing pull back was cleared by Asokhu.

However, after James Chambers shot narrowly over from the corner of the penalty box, the Tolka Park outfit got back on level terms six minutes after the hour mark,

Walsh latched onto a neat through ball and slid the ball past James Gallagher from close range

Chambers fired wide for Shels on 75 before Gethins wasted a guilt-edged opportunity to put Harps in the driving seat two minutes later when he chipped into O'Dowd's hands when well placed.

However, with time running out, Gethins made amends for his miss when he connected with Seamus Brown's header to send a deflected effort beyond Tony O'Dowd to win it for Harps.

Harps face the long trip to Turners Cross on Sunday where they will face Cobh Ramblers while Shels host Dundalk at Tolka Park.

Finn Harps: Gallagher; Asokhu, Minnock, Boyle, Simms; Shields, Funston, O'Loughlin, Breen; Parkhouse; Gethins. Subs: Brolly (for Breen, 55mins); Brown (for Parkhouse, 64mins); McGowan (for Shields, 72mins).

Shelbourne: O'Dowd; O'Reilly, Ryan, Rafferty, Gartland; Chambers, Mulhall, Harte, McEneff; McKenna, Walsh. Subs: Moran (for Mulhall, h/t); Byrne (for McKenna, 72mins); Daniel Ennis (for McEneff, 86mins).

Referee: Derek Tomney