By Chris Ashmore

 

 

Finn Harps          1         Waterford United                3

 

By Chris Ashmore

Finn Harps suffered their third successive league defeat on Saturday night as they lost to a Waterford United side that has a 100% record on the road this season.

This latest set-back for Paul Hegarty’s team sees them sliding down to ninth spot in the table, and the grim reality is that the new-look, young and relatively inexperience outfit are finding the going tough.

That said, they will look back on this game at Finn Park and feel that the final scoreline was somewhat flattering for Waterford – who struck twice in the final 18 minutes.

Once again, there was no lacking in endeavour from the Harps perspective but Waterford clearly knew that this was the sort of game that they needed to win to keep in touch with high-flying UCD, Shelbourne and Sporting Fingal.

Harps were without first choice goalkeeper Gavin Cullen who could be out for a month through injury.

Teenager Ciaran Gallagher, who came on for  Cullen in last week’s 1-0 defeat away to Sporting Fingal, got his first league start while Ian Rossiter and Gary Whoriskey returned from injury.

After an uneventful opening spell, Harps took the lead in the 15th minute. Waterford defender Kenny Browne was adjudged to have handled the ball as he blocked a Conor Gethins shot inside the box. Gethins duly took his chance and slotted the spot-kick home.

But the Harps joy was short-lived as the visitors were back on terms within 60 seconds with Harps guilty of some suspect defending as Graham Cummins finally stabbed the ball in from close range.

Waterford then thought they had taken the lead on the half-hour with Cummins again getting the final touch in a crowded Harps goalmouth but Gallagher just got down in time to stop the ball on the line.

 

Consensus

The general consensus at the break was that Harps would probably be happy to escape with a point. Waterford goalkeeper Michael Devine was untested during the first 45 minutes and Harps, with only Gethins up front ahead of a roving Michael Funston, were never a threat.

At the other end, Waterford looked the better bet to score. Gallagher competently cut out a number of crosses and was well placed to stop shots from Willie John Kiely and Cummins.

In what was at times a physical encounter on a heavy surface, Harps had a scare shortly after the interval when Shaun McGowan had to head off his own line.

But Harps then gave as good as they got for most of the third quarter and could even have taken the lead on 53 minutes when Michael Funston whipped in a free which Gary Whoriskey latched onto but his header was turned around the post by Devine.

And as the game progressed it was Harps who sensed that they had as much chance to go on and take all three points.

With Ruairi Harkin and Shaun McGowan getting a better return in midfield, the ever industrious Funston giving it his all, and Gethins flat out for the cause, the Finn Park faithful – in a disappointing crowd of scarcely 400 – became more expectant. Gethins fired across the face of goal before the growing hopes were then dashed on 72 minutes.

 Harps lost possession and Waterford pounced on the counter-attack with Gary Dunphy running into the box and dispatching it past the advancing Gallagher.

The issue was sealed on 87 minutes when Gallagher failed to hold a powerfully hit Kevin Waters free and the ball spun loose and into the path of Cummins who made the most of things as he banged in his second and Waterford’s third.

It was tough on Leaving Certificate student Gallagher, who, for the most part had done well between the sticks.

With two away games to come in the league against Athlone Town and Wexford Youths, and then a home match against Shelbourne, Harps find themselves in real need of points in order to avoid slipping further down the league ladder.

 

Finn Harps: Ciaran Gallagher, Ian Rossiter, Johnny Havlin, Marc Mukendi, Corny Gallagher, Christy Conaghan, Ruairi Harkin, Shaun McGowan, Gary Whoriskey, Michael Funston, Conor Gethins. Subs: Ciaran Coll for Corny Gallagher (45 mins), David McDaid for Rossiter (78 mins), Patrick Bonner for Harkin (84 mins), Mark Forker, Liam Mailey.

 

Waterford United: Michael Devine, Alan Carey, Kenny Browne, Kevin Murray, Seamus Long, Gary Dunphy, John Kearney, Paul McCarthy, Kevin Waters, Graham Cummins, Willie John Kiely. Subs: Mulcahy for Dunphy (77 mins), Waters for Kiely (79 mins), FitzGerald for McCarthy (86 mins), David Grincell, Paul Carey.

 

Referee: Mr. N. Doyle (Dublin).