Finn Harps’ recent woes continued after some costly moments led to two goals for Tim Clancy’s Cork City at Finn Park.
Finn Harps…0 Cork City…2
(By Stuart Connolly at fii Park with pics by Joe Boland)
After a scoreless first-half in which Harps had the better of the opportunities, Sean Murray found the net with an hour gone.
The game was put beyond Harps when 16-year-old Jaden Umeh, who has been linked with Portuguese Giants Benfica, took advantage of a mishap at the back to add to their tally and open up a sizeable gap at the top of the first division.
Finn Harps remain in third position as of 8pm, but by 10pm, that could change due to results elsewhere in the league.
With Turner’s Cross currently out of commission, although it’s expected to be back in order in the very near future, this fixture was reversed to Finn Park.
Continued issues with the floodlights in Ballybofey meant the game was penned in for an earlier kick-off.
Action from the Finn Harps v Cork City clash at Finn Harp.. (North West Newspix)
Harps’ treatment room has been busy of late and the latest injuries resulted in a few forced changes for Darren Murphy as he brought in Ryan Rainey and Shane McMonagle while Sean O’Donnell was given his first start of the campaign.
Keen to get back to winning ways after back-to-back away defeats, Harps had the better of the early exchanges.
Patrick Ferry fashioned the first opportunity for himself as he found the space to get a shot away but he came face-to-face with Bradley Wade while the rebound from Sean O’Donnell was tipped over the bar by the netminder.
With just under 20 minutes gone, Ferry was in the thick of the action again and missed a gilt-edged chance to put the hosts in the lead.
O’Donnell’s persistence after a cross from Rainey kept the attack alive for Harps and the set-up was on a plate for Ferry but he blazed over from six yards and his reaction said it all.
Luke O’Brien had an effort which glided over the bar after half an hour as Harps were able to hold off any major threat from Cork City.
Action from the Finn Harps v Cork City clash at Finn Park.. (North West Newspix)
Cian Bargary created one opportunity for a shot which fizzed narrowly wide after quarter of an hour but their best opening was the last action of the first-half. Joshua Fitzpatrick whipped a ball in from the left and with it only half cleared, Sean Murray had a pop which was deflected inches wide of the Harps goal.
The second-half didn’t start with the same gusto as the first and it took until the hour for the first effort, one which resulted in the opening goal.
Greg Bolger floated in a corner from the left and with time and space, Sean Murray headed home into the top left corner.
Cork City had a chance to double their advantage just two minutes later but Bargary’s strike was straight at Heimer.
Edogun flashed an effort narrowly wide with just 20 minutes to go and not long after, Cork punished Harps.
Noe Baba’s hesitation on the ball in the defensive third proved costly as Umeh nicked in and made no mistake from the edge of the box for his second goal of the campaign.
Cian Bargary (Cork City) and Tony McNamee (Finn Harps) challenge for a loose ball. (North West Newspix)
The game petered out towards the latter stages and the only chance for Harps fell to Tony McNamee, who fired narrowly over from a free kick.
Finn Harps: Tim-Oliver Heimer; Jamie Watson, Matthew Makinson, Noe Baba, Shane McMonagle; Ryan Rainey(Stephen Doherty 59), Luke O’Brien(Chris Lotefa 78), Tony McNamee, Sean O’Donnell(Max Johnston 86), Patrick Ferry(Mark Mbuli 78); Success Edogun.
Cork City: Brad Wade; Harry Nevin(Darragh Crowley 80), Charlie Lyons, Cian Coleman; Greg Bolger(Barry Coffey 75), Evan McLaughlin, Sean Murray, Cathal O’Sullivan; Joshua Fitzpatrick(Harvey Skieters 80), Cian Bargary, Nathan Wood(Jaden Umeh 59)
Referee: Mark Moynihan.
