Bohemian FC Bray Wanderers Drogheda United Dundalk Shamrock Rovers Sligo Rovers St. Patricks Ath Athlone Town Finn Harps Cork City Derry SD Galway Limerick FC Longford Town Mervue Utd Monaghan United Shelbourne UCD Waterford United Wexford Youths
Premier•First•Underage
 
 
 
Mervue United 1 Finn Harps 1
Friday, 20 March 2009 12:31
Finn Harps got a draw that they barely deserved against the League newcomers Mervue United. Harps equaliser came in added time at the end of this encounter.  A long ball forward was flicked on by substitute Marc Brolly into the path of Conor Gethins.  Gethins looked up and from twenty five yards out brilliantly chipped the Mervue replacement keeper, Eoin Martin, to get his second goal of the season.

Gethins goal was in complete contrast to what had gone on before for Harps with Mervue looking the likely winners as Harps rarely threatened the home side’s goal.

Michael Funston with two long range efforts, one in each half, had gone closest for Harps. 

The contest had barely begun when the Mervue goalkeeper Ryan Griffin had to be replaced.  An amazing thirty-seven seconds had elapsed, when Griffin left the field of play.  

Harps had the first chance of the game, but, it didn’t come until the twenty-second minute.  Michael Funston hit a shot from twenty yards that just clipped the top of the bar.  Four minutes later David Goldbey had a shot that hit Cullen and David O’Dowd reached the ball first but saw his effort turned round the post at the expense of a corner.

Mervue’s goal came a minute before half-time and it marked the first occasion that they had taken the lead in League football.  Harps captain, Conor Gethins, gave away a corner kick.  When the ball came across, it was partially cleared before being returned into the Harps penalty area by O’Dowd.  Goalkeeper Gavin Cullen could only parry the ball and it fell to the feet of David Goldbey and the former Limerick striker made no mistake from six yards out.

Gary Traynor had the first opportunity of the second half but saw his shot go narrowly wide of the Harps post.   Funston then saw his second long range effort tipped over the crossbar by the keeper.  Harps continued to press and despite putting the home side under pressure couldn’t create any clear cut chances, until Gethins late equaliser.

Mervue United: Ryan Griffin, David O’Brien, Mark Ludden, Darren O’Rourke, Eric Browne, Noel McDonnell, Gary Traynor, Nicky Curran, David Goldberg, David O’Dowd, Alan Lee, Subs Ollie Keogh, Pat Hoban (for Curran), Darvin Dowling, Rynal Browne (for McDonnell), Eoin Martin (for Griffin)

Finn Harps:  Gavin Cullen, Paddy Bonner, Kieran Coll, Johnny Havlin, Marc Mukendi, Shaun McGowan, Christy Conaghan, Ruairi Harkin, David McDaid, Conor Gethins, Michael Funston.  Sub: Marc Brolly (for Bonner), Mark Forker (for Conaghan), Gary Whoriskey (for McDaid), Sean Houston and Ciaran Gallagher (Not Used).
 
 
 
Website Disclaimer

The information contained on this website is for general information purposes only. The Football Association of Ireland endeavours to keep the information up to date and correct. Fixtures data may change and whilst every effort is made to ensure that the information displayed on this website is correct and up to date, we are not liable for any errors. The Football Association of Ireland takes no responsibility for, and will not be liable for, the website being temporarily unavailable due to technical issues beyond our control.