Harps Hold Fancied Fanad

Finn Harps Reserves…..1

Fanad United…………..1

Chris McNulty reports from Finn Park

Finn Harps Reserves and Fanad United played out an entertaining one-all draw at Finn Park this evening. A late header from Martin Mc Ateer rescued a point for the Triagh-A-Locha men who played the concluding 15 minutes with 10 men after goalkeeper Darren Nash saw red.

Harps started the evening with first team players Shane Bradley and Chris Malseed in the line-up, although Bradley was withdraw from action on the half-way point with a view to the game against Monaghan United on Saturday.

The current holders of the Marine Harvest Cup had a fairly strong first eleven out although they were missing the likes of Davy Deery, Arthur Lynch and captain, Patrick Patton.

Ollie Horgan was able to call on the services of ex-Harps men Darren Nash, Shane Sweeney, Paul Nash and Paddy Mc Grenaghan.

The Traigh-A-Locha representatives had the better of the first half chances, but they failed to convert their chances and the deadlock remained unbroken at the break.

Darragh Patton had the first chance of note on 15 minutes when Darragh Patton capitalised on a bad back-pass from Shane Bradley, his attempted lob found its way out the right to Paddy Mc Grenaghan, but the referee had signalled for the offside as Fanad protested that his shot was saved.

Mc Grenaghan had two further efforts in that first but he was denied firstly by Mailey and secondly by a fine block from Darren McGowan in the closing minutes.

Darragh Patton and PJ Hagan were also denied as they sought a way of grabbing the lead goal but they found no way through in part one.

Just after the hour mark the visitors were dealt a blow when goalkeeper Darren Nash handled outside the box as he raced to collect from Alan Gethins.

On 73 minutes the hosts hit the front when Barry Mulligan capitalised on a bad back pass and coolly slipped the ball past stand in 'keeper Daniel Breslin.

Goalkeeper Liam Mailey then saved his side when he raced out to brilliantly collect a through ball with PJ Hagan lurking dangerously.

The men in red and black did get back on level terms two minutes from time when Martin Mc Ateer rose highest to head home Seamie Friel's inch-perfect ball in from the right.

This was a valuable point for the young Harps against the current holders and reigning League Champions and certainly the watching attendance had a lot to take heart from tonight.

Finn Harps Reserves: Liam Mailey; Darren McGowan, Gary Whoriskey, Christopher Murrin, Shane Bradley; Chris Malseed, Art O'Connor, Colm McGonagle, Danny Keohane; Barry Mulligan, Oisin McMenamin. Subs: Alan Gethins (for Bradley h/t); James Doherty (for Mc Menamin, 63); Cathal Sharkey (for Malseed, 78).

Fanad United: Darren Nash; Ciaran Sharkey, Sean Houston, Shane Sweeney, Seamie Friel; Paul Nash; Marty McAteer, Daniel Breslin, PJ Hagan; Paddy McGrenaghan, Darragh Patton.

Referee: Bernard Foy