Donegal Daily
  • News
  • Sport
  • Courts
  • Jobs
  • Business
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Politics
  • Features
  • Donegal County Council News
Monday 18°CTuesday 16°C

Donegal Daily Donegal Daily

sponsor banner
sponsor banner
  • News
  • Sport
  • Courts
  • Jobs
  • Business
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Politics
  • Features
  • Donegal County Council News
Lead StoriesSport Lead

Finn Harps denied win as game of inches finishes all square

written by Chris McNulty March 9, 2018
FacebookTweetLinkedInPrint

Finn Harps were left to settle for a share of the spoils after a dour second-half against Shelbourne as Ollie Horgan’s men finally got their 2018 season started.

Finn Harps 1 Shelbourne 1

By Chris McNulty at Finn Park. Photos by North West Newspix

Michael O’Connor, on loan from Shamrock Rovers, bagged a debut goal for Harps that was cancelled out by David O’Sullivan late in the half.

In a second half devoid of chances Harps couldn’t manage to rustle up a winner despite throwing BJ Banda and John O’Flynn into the mix for the final chapter.

Picture: Ciaran O’Connor in action for Finn Harps against Shelbourne.

O’Flynn headed off the crossbar deep into added time after being picked out by Paddy McCourt.

It was something of a belated beginning for Harps. Two weeks ago, poor floodlighting resulted in the late abandonment of the game against Drogheda United before Storm Emma put paid to fixtures against Longford Town and Mayo League.

When the action did finally get underway, Harps fans didn’t have to wait too long to raise the roof.

The hosts hit the front in the 16th minute. Mark Timlin drew Dean Delaney, the Shelbourne goalkeeper, into action, but he could only push the shot away and O’Connor picked up the pieces to open his Harps account.

Three minutes before the break, Shels drew level. Harps ‘keeper Ciaran Gallagher slipped as he went to clear a long ball and O’Sullivan nipped in to tuck home at the Town End.

Although either of Sam Todd and Keith Cowan appeared in position to deal with the danger, Gallagher decided to come, but paid a price. As Gallagher looked up from the turf, O’Sullivan was wheeling away and Shels were level.

Paddy McCourt

By that stage, the full compliment of Shels’ supporters – some of whom had been delayed after their bus broke down in Monaghan – were in the ground to celebrate the equaliser.

Gallagher had earlier preserved the lead with a brilliant save to deny O’Sullivan. The Shels striker connected with a Dayle Rooney cross and seemed certain to finish, but Gallagher showed top-class reflexes to superbly turn over the crossbar.

Harps had a big lay-off when, from a teasing Lorcan Fitzgerald free-kick, Aidan Collins glanced over the top from inside the six-yard box, as the first half came to its conclusion.

Collins was fortunate not to have put through his own goal just after O’Connor’s opener for Harps, who had a penalty claim waved away in the 13th minute.

Mark Coyle went to ground after being put in by Ciaran Coll, but the referee, Marc Lynch, shook the end and booked the Inishowen man for simulation.

O’Sullivan, before he did manage to net the leveller, had fired a warning shot across the Harps browns, with a near post header that flew into the side netting from a Rooney corner.

Captain Coll and McCourt shook off pre-match fitness concerns to start in a Harps XI that included debutants Aidan Friel, Todd and Michael O’Connor.

It was very much a new-look Harps team, with Coyle and Ciaran O’Connor, who both had previous spells at the club, also in from the off.

In a bid to spice up the final third, Horgan sent on veteran former Cork City striker O’Flynn on for a first outing in the Harps colours for the final 20 minutes.

Prior to O’Flynn’s introduction, Todd did well to put James English off at the vital moment after Shels broke with purpose and, down the other end, Tommy McBride connected only with the air as he attempted to strike from Friel’s centre.

Four minutes from time, substitute Lee Toland – another coming back for a second spell at Harps – headed into Delaney’s arms having connected with a floated corner by McCourt.

O’Flynn had a go, but was denied by the crossbar and the game of inches ended all square.

Finn Harps: Ciaran Gallagher; Aidan Friel (Lee Toland 82), Keith Cowan, Sam Todd, Ciaran Coll; Mark Coyle (BJ Banda 61), Tommy McBride, Paddy McCourt, Mark Timlin; Ciaran O’Connor (John O’Flynn 70), Michael O’Connor.

Shelbourne: Dean Delaney; James Brown, Dave Mulcahy, Aidan Collins (Aaron Molloy 50), Locan Fitzgerald; Jamie Doyle, Dayle Rooney (Gavin Boyne 90), James O’Brien, Adam Evans; James English, David O’Sullivan.

Referee: Marc Lynch.

Finn Harps denied win as game of inches finishes all square was last modified: March 9th, 2018 by Chris McNulty
FacebookTweetLinkedInPrint
Chris McNulty

Author of 'Boxing In Donegal: A History (2021)' - the definitive history of the sport in County Donegal - and 'Relentless: A Race Through Time', the 2019 memoir of former Irish Athletics Team Manager Patsy McGonagle. From St Johnston and now based in Letterkenny, Chris was a nominee for NUJ Sports Journalist of the Year in 2010. Honoured by the Donegal Boxing Board in 2016 for his coverage on the sport.

LEAVE A COMMENT

You may also like

Breaking: Young Donegal father tragically killed in...

3 hours ago

Stunning response to community fundraiser for tragic...

15 hours ago

Funeral of mother and daughter killed in...

2 days ago

Honours even as Finn Harps maintains clean...

2 days ago

Blaneys recognised for ‘outstanding and exceptional’ 100...

2 days ago

Shane O’Donnell in running for Player of...

2 days ago

Funeral arrangements to be confirmed for tragic...

3 days ago

Thousands to attend ‘pre-12th’ Orange parade in...

3 days ago

Priest speaks of sadness of meeting tragic...

4 days ago

Fanad man jailed for 9 years for...

4 days ago
Advertisement
Advertisement

Donegal County Council

Facebook
Donegal County Council
Advertisement
Advertisement
Donegal Daily Jobs

Read More

  • News
  • Sport
  • Courts
  • Jobs
  • Sales & Services
  • Obituaries
  • Features
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Council News

Information

  • Contact Us
  • About
  • Advertise WIth Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Terms & Conditions

Our Sites

Donegal Woman
Donegal Woman
Donegal Daily

© 2025 Donegal Daily. All rights reserved.
Website by owenod


Back To Top.

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.