HARPS HELD AT HOME BY KILDARE
Finn Harps .2 (Walsh 19; McCrossan 0g 60) Kildare County ..2 (Mulcahy pen 25; Mc Kenna 65)
Chris Mc Nulty reports from Finn Park Finn Harps' disappointing home form continued with this disappointing two-all draw against John Ryan's Kildare County on Saturday night. In six league games at the Finn-side venue this term, the boys in blue have taken just seven points from a possible eighteen. Certainly that is a statistic that Harps will be looking to alter for the better. The home side came into the clash on the back of a big four-one win over Monaghan United at the same venue on Tuesday night last while the Thoroughbreds came to Ballybofey on the back of a one-nil defeat to Limerick last week. Harps made one change from the side that had disposed of Monaghan midweek with Chris Breen came in for his first start in four games as he started on the right side of the midfield in place of Michael Funston allowing Chris Malseed to go into his customary central role. It was the home side who opened the livelier and on 19 minutes the man of the moment had them in front. Young Davitt Walsh, who netted a hat-trick in Tuesday's triumph over lowly Monaghan was again on the score-sheet as he beat Brendan Kennedy with a deft finish after good work from Jonathan Minnock following a mistake by the visiting net-minder. Kildare levelled the tie minutes later when they were awarded a spot-kick. A quick free-kick caught the Harps defence in no-man's land and when Stephen O Donnell challenged Barry Clancy, referee Conor Fitzgerald deemed the tackle to be unfair and pointed to the spot. Alan Mulcahy stepped up to send James Gallagher the wrong way. This was the third penalty Harps have conceded in a week and certainly they will not need reminding of that. In that first period, both sides had chances of a second. Davitt Walsh drew a brilliant save from Kennedy while at the other end Darren Mc Kenna should have done better when his weak effort was held by Gallagher. On the hour mark Harps were back in the ascendancy courtesy of a Kildare own goal. Sean Cooney's cross from the left was sent into the danger zone and from six yards Stephen Mc Crossan sent a header past his own goalkeeper under pressure from Chris Malseed. Six minutes later parity was restored. David Scully and John Reilly combined to force an opening down the left hand side. Reilly's cross found its way to the unmarked Darren Mc Kenna who had the simple task of finishing the move to draw his side level. Harps pressed hard for a winner in the closing stages but couldn't find a third breakthrough. Chris Malseed headed at Kennedy and Sean Cooney fired wide from distance as Harps tried in vain for a third. The home side were also denied a penalty of their own. In fact the home support might indeed claim they should have had two. Indeed, for his troubles, O Donnell would receive a yellow card from the official for an alleged dive. Next week Crumlin United visit Finn Park for the FAI Cup clash and then Harps travel to Kilkenny City for the final league game before the three-week break. Finn Harps: James Gallagher; Eloka Asokhu, Jonathan Minnock, Marc Mukendi (Shaun Mc Gowan 53), Shane Bradley; Sean Cooney, Chris Malseed, David Bell, Barry Curran; Stephen O Donnell (Darren Meenan 76), Davitt Walsh. Kildare County: Brendan Kennedy; Alan Mulcahy, Barry Clancy, Ian Malone, Philip Byrne; Stephen Mc Crossan, Stephen Cooling, David Scully, John Reilly; Darren Mc Kenna, Carl Donnelly. Referee: Conor Fitzgerald Finn Harps Dot Com Man of the Match: Top class performances were a rarity on either side. Davitt Walsh took his goal well, while Chris Malseed battled well in the middle of the park, but our award this week goes to DAVID BELL who looked assured in his customary left-back position. Having had a couple of disappointing weeks in midfield the Inishowen man has performed much better since switching roles with Jonathan Minnock.
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
