Could this be the game on which Finn Harps’ season has turned?
Finn Harps 3 Waterford 2
That’s what many home fans must be asking as a depleted Finn Harps side dug deep to secure a superb three points against Waterford Utd.
A topsy-turvy battle saw both sides take the lead before Harps popped up with a late, late winner.
The game had everything including goals, penalties and sendings-off on a night when Harps fans were the ones left cheering down Navenney Street.
But Harps had to do it the hard way with a list of missing players longer than the list of candidates on the local election ballot paper.
Among those on that missing list because of injury and suspension were Keith Cowan, Rafa Cretaro, Ciaran Gallagher, Sam Todd, Gareth Harkin, Mark Timlin, Harry Ashcroft, Mark Coyle and Caolan McAleer.
Even the most loyal and optimistic on the terraces at Finn Park were probably thinking this was a big ask for the team propping up the Premier Division.
The Harps boss was forced to draft in a number of younger faces into his starting line-up including Liam Walsh and Michael Gallagher.
And after just four minutes those thinking it was a tall order for Harps were nodding their knowing heads when the home side was caught cold.
Sean Boyd celebrates snatching Harps’ late winner. Pic by Northwest Newspix.
A quick exchange of passes in midfield resulted in Aaron Drinan being put through leaving him free to hammer the ball into the roof of the net for Waterford.
Harps suffered another setback just two minutes later when young Michael Gallagher was forced to retire after he picked up an injury to be replaced by Colm Deasy.
But Horgan’s side worked hard to find an opening to get back into the game and were rewarded on 24 minutes.
Mikey Place was fouled on the edge of the area and he punished United with a brilliant free-kick which nestled in the top corner of Matt Conner’s goal despite the goalkeeper getting a hand to it.
Waterford had a great chance to go ahead on 30 minutes when Bastien Hery flashed wide of Peter Burke’s goal from 25 yards with the Harps ‘keeper struggling to reach it.
But just five minutes later there was another goal and it put the home side ahead.
Colm Deasy did well down the right and sent in a cross only for a Waterford defender to raise a hand leaving referee Pat McLaughlin with no choice but to point to the penalty spot.
Mikey Place grabbed himself and Harps a second goal as he made no mistake from the spot.
Harps Sean Boyd could have put it beyond Waterford before half-time but his header from six yards sailed over the crossbar.
After the restart, the home side continued in the same dogged fashion in which they finished the first.
With Niall Logue marshalling things with a calm composure at the back for Harps, it looked like the points were coming home at 2-1.
But things don’t always go to plan at Finn Park.
On 88 minutes Damien Delaney thought he had done enough to steal a share of the points for the Waterford men when he finished a set piece to make it 2-2.
But Sean Boyd had other plans and with the game going into injury time he scored the winner sending the Harps fans into joyous mayhem.
And with UCD going dowen again tonight, it means that Harps are no longer the team propping up the table.
Finn Harps: Peter Burke; John Kavanagh, Niall Logue, Daniel O’Reilly; Michael Gallagher (Colm Deasy 8), Liam Walsh (Nathan Boyle 63), Tony McNamee, Jacob Borg, Mark Russell; Sean Boyd, Mikey Place (Stephen Doherty 88).
Waterford Utd: Matt Connor; Georgie Poynton, Rory Feely, Damien Delaney, JJ Lunney; Shane Duggan, Karolis Chvedukus (Scott Twine 65); Cory Galvin, Bastien Hery, Aaron Drinan; Ishmahil Akinade.
Referee: Paul McLaughlin.
