ATHLONE FIGHT BACK TO FRUSTRATE HARPS AT HOME

April 17 , 2006

 

Finn Harps……..1

(Curran 19)

Athlone Town ….1

(Magee 79)

By Chris Mc Nulty at Finn Park

Finn Harps' disappointing season continued at Finn Park on Monday night last when they were held to a one-all draw by Athlone Town.

Against an Athlone side, who were playing for most of the contest with ten men, following the dismissal of goalkeeper Danny O Leary after the half hour mark, Harps struggled to create anything of note.

Frustratingly, Barry Curran's effort 19 minutes in would be the only addition to the scoreboard from a Harps point of view, on what was a disappointing night for the small home support.

Although the first half was an improvement on its predecessor – Limerick last Friday – the second was poor, with neither side threatening a great deal.

Playing against ten men, one would have assumed that Harps would have won this contest with relative ease. However, a missed penalty, bad misses and a red card of their own, the Ballybofey men were left having to settle for a draw after Noel Magee drew Town level ten minutes from time.

Following Harps defeat to Limerick on Friday and Kildare County's win against Cobh Ramblers, Anthony Gorman's side went into this game as the division's basement club.

A win for Harps on Monday would have propelled them back into third spot, but this disappointing draw means that the chance was missed.

For the visit of the midlands outfit, Anthony Gorman made two alterations to his starting line up.

Shaun Mc Gowan passed an evening fitness test and started at right back, with Barry Curran moving to the right of midfield. Gary Crossan missed out, and indeed the Killea man wasn't even named among the Harps substitutes.

Davitt Walsh was handed his first start in a Harps shirt. The former Fanad United and Derry City youngster came in to replace David Bell. He partnered Chris Breen in the Harps attack with Stephen O Donnell occupying the left-midfield berth.

Harps dominated the opening period and 19 minutes in were rewarded for the early pressure, when Barry Curran struck for his first goal for his new club.

The former Newry City man burst down the right and after out-pacing his man, made no mistake firing past O Leary to edge Harps in front.

The home side should have added to their tally 12 minutes after Curran's opener. Danny O Leary pulled down young Davitt Walsh inside the area following a scramble and referee Tom Connolly had no hesitation in either showing O Leary his marching orders or awarding Harps a spot kick.

Robert Forde, Athlone's substitute goalkeeper was introduced, with Iarlaith Davoren the unfortunate party to make way.

Forde's first task of the evening was to take a goal-kick after Michael Funston's penalty went wide of the Town End goals.

There was little other goalmouth action in that first half. Chris Breen really should have done better when played in, but his effort was held by O Leary.

The second half was a poor spectacle for the sparse attendance present on Bank Holiday Monday.

As the game wore on, it was the Midlanders who looked most likely to get on the score-sheet.

Indeed this notion was then enhanced when Jonathan Minnock received his marching orders 15 minutes from time after appearing to strike out at an Athlone player.

Four minutes later Athlone equalised. Substitute Noel Magee fired past Gavin Cullen, much to the dismay of the Harps faithful.

Harps pressed hard in the final few minutes, but their efforts would be in vain as Athlone held out for a draw.

Next up for Harps is a home tie against Cobh Ramblers on Saturday night next in what is already a vital game for the Blue and White brigade.

Finn Harps: Gavin Cullen; Shaun Mc Gowan; Jonathan Minnock; Marc Mokendi; Shane Bradley; Michael Funston; Barry Curran; Stephen O Donnell; Chris Breen; Davitt Walsh; Anthony Gorman. Sub: Matthew Crossan (Walsh).

Athlone Town: Danny O Leary; Ian Rossiter; Alan Kelly; Tom Silke; Jim Sheridan; Colin Fortune; Istvan Lakets; Des Hope; Iarlaith Davoren; Damien Rushe; Pauric Moran. Subs: Robert Forde (Davoren); Noel Magee (Silke);Brian Mc Carthy (Moran).

Referee: Tom Connolly