Harps Advance as Galway Pay The Penalty Finn Harps………1 Galway United…..1 a.e.t Finn Harps win 2-1 on penalties By Chris Mc Nulty at Finn Park Whether or not Jonathan Minnock's throw in on Friday night got a touch en route to the back of Alan Gough's net remains to be seen, but at Finn Park on Monday night, Galway United can have no qualms about the end result. Although they only won the game after the lottery of a penalty shootout, it was the home side who had the better of the game's chances and should have had the contest won long before Philip Reilly's spot kick came crashing off James Gallagher's crossbar to seal the win for Harps. Indeed the Gorthahork man was the hero of the penalty shoot-out, as he saved two of Galway's four penalties. It was no more than Harps deserved though, and after the late equaliser on Friday, coupled with this performance, Harps supporters must be thinking that lady luck has donned the blue and white for the first time in a long while. Played on a heavy Finn Park pitch, which seems to be feeling the effects of both bad weather and lack of a break, the game opened with Harps having the lion's share of the possession. Chris Breen, thrust back into the starting line-up for his first start of the new season, was looking lively early on. He and Conor Gethins both had first chances which should have been converted. Breen shot straight at Grozka after being teed up by Gethins and Gethins then had a shot well saved by the Galway 'keeper after a pull back from Fintan Bonner. Gethins then lobbed over the bar after being played into a good position. The Lifford man's shot was just too high. At this stage Harps were controlling matters, with debutant Chris Malseed particularly prominent in the middle of the park. At the other end, Lavine, Cleary and O Brien all had good chances, but none breached James Gallagher's resistance and the sides went in with the stalemate intact at the half time interval. Twelve minutes after the re-start and all too familiar feeling was prevalent among the home followers as Galway took the lead. Jonathan Minnock failed to deal with a dangerous crossfield ball and Ciaran Foley fired past James Gallagher to send United into the lead. Conor Gethins then fired wide from a good position as Harps searched for a means of rescuing the contest. Just as though it looked like the equaliser wasn't to be forthcoming, Harps pounced for the leveller. With two minutes remaining on the watch of Stephen Toner, several supporters had made their way out the exits of the Finn-side ground, but they were soon back in again for the 30 minutes of extra time. Barry Curran sent in a dangerous cross and Chris Malseed got in front of Tomas Grozka and managed to direct the ball into the net for his debut goal. Extra time saw Harps have a goal disallowed, as Chris Breen was deemed to have been in an offside position when he finished after another good Barry Curran cross. The thirty minutes of extra time brought no further addition to the Finn Park scoreboard and so the game would be decided with the dreaded penalty shoot-out. Alan Murphy stepped up first but under pressure, the former Derry City player skied his effort over the Town End crossbar. Michael Funston then scored for Harps before David GOlbey had his effort saved by James Gallagher. Matthew Crossan, making his first team debut, then smacked the bar to leave it 1-0 to Harps after two efforts each. Billy Cleary was then the first Galway man to be successful from 12 yards with a well placed penalty. Chris Breen was next up for Harps, but his weak effort was easy for Grozka. Ciaran Foley, who had scored the Galway goal in normal time, then had his attempt well kept out by Gallagher. Shane Bradley stepped up and fired home to leave Philip Reilly having to score to keep Galway's hopes alive. Although penalties may not be the best means by which a game is won, the main thing is that Harps came through and now look forward to a tough next round game, against Sligo, Derry, Mayo League or Longford. Before that though, the action turns to Saturday night and another important league fixture at home to Monaghan United. Finn Harps: Gavin Cullen; Barry Curran; Jonathan Minnock; Marc Mokendi; Shane Bradley; Gary Crossan (Anthony Gorman); Chris Malseed; Chris Breen; Conor Gethins (Matthew Crossan); Fintan Bonner (Davitt Walsh).
Referee: Stephen Toner Man Of The Match: Chris Malseed. Handed his first senior start in the Blue and White of Harps, Malseed excelled in the middle of the park alongside Michael Funston. Tackling, distribution and work ethic were all outstanding and the young Letterkenny man capped off a perfect debut with the Harps equaliser two minutes from time. Certainly one for the future, and the gaffer could find it hard to dislodge Chris from the central midfield berth!
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