Harps take win in derby fixture

May 12, 2007

Derry City 0

Finn Harps 1

A first half goal from Shaun McGowan ensured that Finn Harps took the points in this keenly contested North West derby fixture at The Brandywell Showgrounds on Saturday afternoon.

Both sides had a sprinkling of first-team squad players in their starting line-ups with Matthew Crossan, Shaun McGpwan and Mark Brolly appearing for Harps and Alan Moore and Karl Bremingham starting for the hosts.

Derry had taken victory in the corresponding fixture at Finn Park a couple of weeks ago, so Harps made the trek to the Maiden City on Saturday keen to get one over on their local rivals.

They did just that with Shaun McGowan grabbing the winning goal seventeen minutes into the contest after getting the final touch in a scramble for possession in the Derry box.

Both sides had goals ruled out for offside infringements, but Harps held out to take the win and manager Sean ‘Wizard' McGowan was pleased with the way his side performed.

Speaking to the Donegal News yesterday, he said: “We created a couple of good chances and young Barry Tourish drew some very good saves from the Derry goalkeeper.

“It was a good game and I think that we created some very good chances and were deserving winners. But, if you were chatting to Derry I'd say they'd tell you the same from their point of view.

“We were under pressure in the last ten minutes or so, but you'd expect to get that in Derry. Our young lads did well though because there aren't many teams that will go to Derry and get anything,” he said.

Derry City: Eugene Ferry; Martin Doherty, John Carlin, Martin Hamilton, Ryan McGarvey; Patrick McDonnell, Alan Moore, Paul King, Ciaran Campbell; Karl Bermingham, Sean Doyle. Subs: David McDaid; Mark Moran (both used).

Finn Harps: Liam Mailey; Brian Lafferty, Matthew Crossan, James Doherty, Christopher Murrin; Shaun McGowan, Alan Gethins, Johnny Havlin, Mark Brolly; Oisin McMenamin, Barry Tourish. Subs: Colm McGonagle; Kyle Devine; Darren McGowan; Danny Keohane; Ronan O'Connor (all used).

Referee: Paul Duddy