Harps edged out by Candystripes

31 July, 2006

 

Finn Harps……..0

Derry City ……...1

 

Chris Mc Nulty reports from Finn Park

 

Sean ‘Wizard' Mc Gowan's Finn Harps Under 21s were narrowly beaten by a solitary goal to nil by a stronger Derry City outfit at Finn Park last night.

Derry manager George Harkin was able to call on the services of the likes of Clive Delaney, Shaun Holmes and Neil Mc Cafferty while, on the other hand, the Harps side contained none of the first team regulars.

The contest opened in the tight manner that regular attendees of these fixtures will have become accustomed to. Goal mouth chances were not in abundance to say the least.

The visitors had a glorious chance to go into the lead with what was the best chance of the first 45 minutes when former Harps man Seamus Browne somehow fired wide of the target after an inch perfect cross from Letterkenny man Ciaran Greene, who had just entered the action as a substitute for John Carlin.

Harps were limited to a couple of long range efforts in the first period with Gary Crossan and Ryan Mc Gavigan having frees narrowly off target. This was as close as the hosts came to breaking the deadlock in the first half.

The Candystripes had a penalty appeal turned away when Gerard Mc Laughlin broke through and was halted by a tackle from Glen Rainey. There were strong appeals for the spot-kick, but referee Stephen Toner waved play on.

Derry dominated the chances stakes in the second half and Clive Delaney almost headed the opening goal five minutes in, but he nodded wide from a good position.

Moments later, Shaun Holmes – Derry 's new signing from Glentoran - fired wide after a neat move down the left involving Gerard Mc Laughlin and Ciaran Greene.

Neil Mc Cafferty was then played in on goal but he was thwarted by a fine interception from Cornelius Gallagher, but within seconds Derry did grab the initiative.

Gareth Harkin's shot was parried by Liam Mailey into the path of substitute Patrick O'Donnell and he tapped home into the unguarded net. If truth be told, City deserved their lead on the balance of the chances in the second half.

The Derry goal saw the Harps attack become more inventive and they could have grabbed an equaliser, but it just wasn't their night.

Johnny Gallagher had the best chance to level the tie, but his effort from close range came off the post after Trojan work down the right flank from Barney Lafferty. From the rebound, Shane O' Connor fired over the crossbar.

Derry held out to clinch a valuable three points against their North West neighbours.

Finn Harps: Liam Mailey; Brian Lafferty, Cornelius Gallagher, Barry Mulligan, Glen Rainey; Gary Crossan, Shane O'Connor, Cathal Sharkey, Ryan Mc Gavigan; Johnny Gallagher, Darren Meenan. Subs: James Doherty (for Meenan); Christopher Murrin (for Sharkey); Gary Whoriskey (for Gallagher).