Finn Harps manager Ollie Horgan is counting the cost of last night’s historic derby win over Derry City.
By Chris McNulty, Donegal Sport Hub
Goals from BJ Banda and Michael Funston gave Harps a 2-0 win that was their first away League win against the Candystripes – but it came at a big price.
Picture caption: Finn Harps manager Ollie Horgan makes a point to fourth official John McLoughlin. Picture by North West Newspix
Already without the hamstrung Ciaran O’Connor and Danny Morrissey, Harps saw Eddie Dsane sit out the game in Buncrana due to a back problem.
Banda proved to be the hero of the hour, but his introduction in the 22nd minute was an enforced one.
Jonny Bonner over-stretched and pulled a hamstring, prematurely bringing to an end a big night for the Buncrana-born midfielder.
Paddy McCourt’s influence was obvious on the game, but he too departed injured. McCourt left the action with a hip injury with Funston taking his place.
In added time at the end, Barry Molloy – who Horgan said had ‘rolled the years back’ with an outstanding display – had to be replaced by Packie Mailey with Molloy now said to be nursing a groin injury.
“We picked up a number of more serious injuries to add to the ones that we already have,” Horgan said afterwards.
“We’re down a lot of bodies. We have a small panel for obvious reasons. We’re down about six bodies, six senior lads, but that gives opportunities.”
Bonner, he noted, was likely to be out ‘for a number of weeks’.
McCourt and Molloy are unlikley to be risked in Monday’s EA Sports Cup game against Sligo Rovers and will be assessed further ahead of Friday’s League meeting with Drogheda United.
Harps kept their first clean sheet of the season last night as they condemned Derry to a third straight League defeat.
Horgan said: “To come away from home to Derry and get three points, you’d have to be pleased.
“The performance was decent and it was great to keep a clean sheet – we haven’t done that in a long while.”
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