GOOD FRIDAY TURNS INTO A NIGHTMARE FOR OFF-TUNE HARPS

April 14 , 2006

 

Limerick………2

Finn Harps…….1

Chris Mc Nulty reports from Hogan Park

A Good Friday it wasn't for Anthony Gorman's Finn Harps at Hogan Park in Limerick, where they went down by two goals to one, leaving them perilously close to the bottom of the First Division.

Played at a rain-sodden Hogan Park, this is one game which will certainly not be a game the Harps fans present will want to remember.

Limerick went into the game on the back of a win over Kilkenny in mid-week which propelled them to the dizzy heights of second spot in the table.

Harps, by contrast, began proceedings having been out of action since their penalty shoot-out win over Galway United. Harps were due to take on Monaghan United at Finn Park last weekend, but for the second time this season, Finn Park fell victim to the elements and the game was postponed.

Harps player-boss Anthony Gorman made a few changes from the side that defeated Galway in that League Cup clash.

In came David Bell, Stephen O Donnell, Gavin Cullen and Gorman himself while Fintan Bonner, James Gallagher, Conor Gethins and Chris Malseed were the unlucky ones to miss out.

Just 75 seconds into this contest, Harps found themselves a goal down. A corner from the right wasn't dealt with by the static Harps defence allowing Brian Buckley to fire home for the opening goal.

After this, both sides failed to inspire. Harps' distribution and passing of the ball at times was awful.

Limerick, to be fair, were hardly setting the tie alight either in front of what was the biggest crowd of the season at the Rathbane venue.

Limerick had the better of the remainder of the first half chances. While Harps failed to create anything of note, Limerick had a couple of half-chances and could have found themselves further in front.

On the stroke of half time after a neat passing move involving Thomas Barrett, John Lestor and Derek Mc Carthy, Lestor fired over Gavin Cullen's crossbar from 15 yards out.

Derek Mc Carthy found himself in on goal, but he was halted by the Assistant Referee's off-side flag and Colm Heffernan could have been in a goalscoring position but for a bad first touch.

At the other end, Harps were throwing in dangerous ball after dangerous ball, but on no occasion was Noel Mooney really troubled. The Limerick ‘keeper was afforded acres of space, with the Harps attack reluctant to put in a challenge in the area.

With twenty minutes of part two already gone, Harps started to mount a challenge and began testing the Limerick back line in a threatening manner.

Barry Curran had a shot deflected wide, before Marc Mokendi had a thumping volley hit off a Limerick defender and out for a corner.

From the resulting corner, Harps got back on level terms. Anthony Gorman swung in dangerously from the right and, as he has done so many times in the past, Shane Bradley popped up to give Harps a lifeline.

Jonathan Minnock then had a cracking free kick flash just inches past Mooney's left hand post as Harps went in search of a means of getting in front.

However, 15 minutes from time, these hopes were dashed as Limerick edged themselves back into the lead.

Robbie Kelleher's effort was blocked by the hand of Marc Mokendi inside the area, and referee Conor Fitzgerald had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.

John Lestor duly obliged with the conversion, firing low to his right and beyond the despairing dive of Gavin Cullen.

Anthony Gorman had a free kick superbly beaten away by Mooney and Shane Bradley had a dangerous header well held by the Limerick net-minder as Harps' efforts at grabbing an equaliser were to be in vain.

Results elsewhere on Friday evening meant that Harps fans were coming back up the N17 looking at a league table which had the name of Finn Harps second from bottom.

Next up is Athlone Town on Monday night next. The task is simple; win! If only it were as simple as that.

Finn Harps: Gavin Cullen, Barry Curran, Jonathan Minnock, Marc Mokendi, Shane Bradley, Michael Funston, Gary Crossan, David Bell, Chris Breen, Stephen O Donnell, Anthony Gorman. Subs: Chris Malseed (Crossan); Davitt Walsh (Bell); Fintan Bonner (Curran).

Limerick: Noel Mooney; Conor Nolan; Brian Buckley; Anthony Wolfe; Pat Purcell; Tommy Barrett; Robbie Kelleher; John Lestor; Derek Mc Carthy; Paul Rose; Colm Heffernan.

Man Of The Match: Certainly the number of candidates for this award is minimal. For Harps, Shane Bradley and Anthony Gorman battled well, while Marc Mokendi's only blemish was the handball for the penalty. However, John Lestor of Limerick gets this award. The former Monaghan United midfielder controlled the game and Harps couldn't contest with him.