Harps Squander Second Half Chances To End Fourth Place Hopes

October 29, 2006

Finn Harps……..0

Limerick FC……0

Chris McNulty reports from Finn Park

Finn Harps' aspirations of finishing in the top four in the eircom League First Division all but ended at Finn Park last evening as the Ballybofey-based Club squandered several guilt edged chances that came their way resulting in a scoreless draw being played out against fellow fourth-place hopefuls Limerick.

The result last night, coupled with Cobh's win over Kildare County leaves Harps still mid-table some eight points adrift of the Ramblers and out of the race for fourth spot with the final three games seeing Anthony Gorman's men facing up to sides above them in the table.

In what was a largely uninspiring clash, both sides had their moments, but ultimately the draw was probably a fair result overall.

Limerick had the bulk of the chances in the opening 45minutes after starting brighter with the home side particularly wasteful in possession when in key areas, much to the frustration of the small home support.

Little over 200 patrons made their way through the turnstiles last night, easily one of the lowest crowds for a competitive fixture at the ground in a long time, which is a sign of the times for the Club at present unfortunately.

The first half saw Harps giving away possession on plentiful occasion with Limerick unlucky not to be in the ascendancy at the interval.

Tommy Barrett fired wide from the edge of the box after being played in by Wayne Culbert on 12minutes before Culbert again turned provider for John Boyle, but the front man's header was kept out by James Gallagher.

Harps' best chance of the opening instalment fell the way of Davitt Walsh, but he was denied by the in-form Austin O'Neill, who would prove to be a key figure as he kept the Harps front-line at bay for the duration of the second half.

The home side were out quickest in the second half but failed to hit the target with a number of guilt edged chances and the small home support were left to depart a frustrated bunch once more.

Stephen O'Donnell was denied by O'Neill after leaving his man in his wake inside the area while the Mannorcunningham native was provider for David Bell but he somehow shot wide of the mark.

Barry Curran came within inches of making the crucial breakthrough with a first-time volley from a Jonathan Minnock cross while O'Donnell shot over the bar after a Michael Funston shot was spilled by O'Neill.

Harps' best chance of the match fell the way of Davitt Walsh who watched O'Neill make a fine save from his close range header from O'Donnell's centre as Harps continued to frustrate their fans.

It wasn't all one way traffic though and had it not been for James Gallagher also being in fine form, the Shannon-siders would have broken the deadlock after 65 minutes when left back Dave Miller was presented with an opportunity inside the box.

His effort was palmed away by Gallagher and the Gorthahork man was also on hand to thwart the efforts of Tommy Barrett and ensure that the Finn Park faithful were treated to only a third 0-0 of the season at the venue.

Harps now look forward to the long trip south to face Cobh Ramblers on Saturday night next before making the trip to Shamrock Rovers the following Friday night and they then host Dundalk on the final day of what has been a disappointing season.

Finn Harps: James Gallagher; Shaun McGowan, Jonathan Minnock, Eloka Asokhu, Shane Bradley; Michael Funston, Barry Curran, David Bell, Matthew Crossan; Stephen O'Donnell, Davitt Walsh.

Limerick : Austin O'Neill; Paul Finnucane, Dave Miller, Brian Buckley, Pat Purcell; Conor Molan, Wayne Colbert, John Boyle, Conor Synnott; Dave Ryan, Tommy Barrett.

Referee: Derek Tomney

Finn Harps Dot Com Man-of-the-Match: Austin O'Neill, the Limerick goalkeeper, was in inspiring form throughout and denied Harps on a few occasions in the second half but his opposite number James Gallagher gave him a run for his money.

Had it not been for a couple of notable interventions from the Harps stopper the home side wouldn't have had this point so the Gorthahork based net-minder gets the award.