Finn Harps FC

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Finn Harps FC 0 - 2 St Patrick's Athletic
Chris McNulty reports from Finn Park

In form Finn Harps were brought crashing down to earth at Finn Park on Saturday evening, as John Mc Donnell’s St Patrick’s Athletic came away from Ballybofey with maximum points against a Harps side that looked a pale shadow of the team that had beaten Shamrock Rovers so convincingly the previous week.

Harps started the match as favourites for the first time this season, but as they have done so many times in the past, they failed to live up to the billing and once again the despondent followers trundled out the turnstiles in disbelief.

The first half was one of the worst seen at the Finn-Side venue in some time – a remarkable feat considering some of the performances witnessed this term. Gavin Cullen was again outstanding between the posts and on several occasions on Saturday night, the big Buncrana native produced the goods, with saves that would be talked about for months had they been in the English Premiership.

Cullen was eventually beaten on the hour mark when Keith Fahey’s shot from just inside the penalty area deflected off Declan Boyle and into the net.

Gavin Cullen

Stunned, Harps tried to hit back, but they just simply weren’t at the races. Creativity was non-existent while at the back the defence looked far from comfortable and indeed had Cullen not been on top form, then the scoreline could have been more. This phrase has become too frequent on the Finn Park terraces recently and one would have to wonder what Harps’ situation would be without Cullen.

As Harps were just recovering from St Pats’ opener, Colm Foley headed past Cullen from Fahey’s free-kick and this effectively sealed the game for the Dubliners, who are now 5 points clear of Harps and have a game in hand.

Harps went in search of goals and Shane Bradley was thrown up front in an attempt to salvage something from the game.

Kevin Mc Hugh had a late chance for the home side but his effort rolled wide of the post, summing up Harps’ evening.

At the commencement of this clash, talk about how an ascent to 8th place would occur should Harps win, dominated the conversation, however 90 minutes later and 8th place seems like a distant dream for the Harps faithful who now face a tempestuous North West derby meeting with old foes Derry City in the Brandywell on Friday evening next, where anything in the way of points will be taken with both hands by the blue clad supporters who will be hoping to see their team get back on track against Stephen Kenny’s men who are flying high at the moment.