A 94th minute penalty from Ciaran O’Connor gave Finn Harps the points against Sligo Rovers tonight in Ballybofey.
Finn Harps 2-1 Sligo Rovers
O’Connor’s spot kick was saved by Michael Schlingermann in the Sligo goal but the on-loan Dundalk striker tucked home the rebound to the delight of the home support.
The concession of the penalty – after Tobi Adabayo-Rowling put his hands on O’Connor’s back following a cross from Ethan Boyle – was certainly avoidable.
Afterwards, sections of the Sligo support were vociferous in their criticism of manager Dave Robertson, after this team threw away a 1-0 lead.
Raffaele Cretaro tucked past Ciaran Gallagher on 59 minutes from John Russell’s centre for the opening goal but nine minutes later Harps were back on terms through Kilian Cantwell.
It was a deserved goal for the team managed by Ollie Horgan who had started the second half competently and looked the most likely to score when Sligo made the breakthrough.
O’Connor missed a decent chance with six minutes remaining after the ball fell his way after Sean Houston’s shot was deflected. However, there was to be a twist in the tale.
The first real opportunity that fell to either side was when Cantwell needlessly gave away possession on 18 minutes with a square ball that Jonah Ayunga scampered onto and the Kenyan drew a save from Ciaran Gallagher at his near post.
Harps almost benefitted from a goalmouth scramble on 31 minutes when a Ciaran Coll shot caused some consternation in the Sligo penalty area. Eventually the ball broke to Cantwell and his effort was eventually hacked clear by Kyle Callan-McFadden.
Ayunga should’ve hit the target with a header seven minutes before the break after Ciaran Sadlier had dinked in an appealing cross. Three minutes before half-time, Raffaele Cretaro cleared a header from Damien McNulty following a corner by Jonny Bonner.
On 50 minutes, Michael Schlingermann had to stop and effort from Ciaran O’Connor and Sean Houston’s strike from the rebound was blocked by Michael Leahy.
And five minutes later, the Rovers goalkeeper was alert to tip over an inventive chip from Jonny Bonner and from the resultant corner by Caolan McAleer, Ethan Boyle’s header was just wide.
However, at a stage in the contest where Harps appeared to be getting on top it was Sligo who opened the scoring. Harps were caught upfield and Sligo broke and Russell fed Cretaro to score.
Harps, on 68 minutes, were level when Cantwell steered home after a free-kick from Jonny Bonner was met by Boyle and O’Connor appeared to be tugged to the floor. But before the penalty protestations could really be heard, Cantwell had netted.
In the closing stages Harps had a couple of opportunities to win it. Firstly Bonner steered a shot wide, as did O’Connor, who had space in the Sligo box after a Houston shot deflected into his path. Then, with O’Connor tucking home his penalty rebound, Harps did win it.
Finn Harps: Ciaran Gallagher; Damien McNulty (Eddie Dsane 66), Ciaran Coll, Killian Cantwell, Gareth Harkin; Jonny Bonner, Ethan Boyle, Sean Houston, Caolan McAleer Danny Morrissey (Michael Funston 90); Sean Houston, Ciaran O’Connor.
Sligo Rovers: Michael Schlingermann; Tobi Adabayo-Rowling, Michel Leahy, Kyle Callan-McFadden, Liam Martin; John Russell, Craig Roddan, Chris Kenny, Ciaran Sadlier; Raffaele Cretaro (Mikey Place 84), Jonah Ayunga (Matty Stevens 71).
Referee: Arnold Hunter.
Tags: