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Finn Harps 1 UCD 2
Friday, 27 March 2009 08:37

A penalty scored by UCD’s Ciaran Kilduff after just thirteen minutes was the difference between the two sides on a freezing cold night at Finn Park.  Strong winds and constant rain made this game somewhat of a lottery and although Harps probably deserved something from the game, it was the Students who go home with all three points in the bag.

Finn Harps boss, Paul Hegarty, back on the bench after missing last week’s game, made one change to the team that earned a point in Mervue the previous week.  Gary Whoriskey made his first start for Harps with Paddy Bonner having to settle for a place on the bench.  Michael Funston slotted into Bonner’s right-back slot.

UCD with three wins to their credit before tonight, were keen to bring the game to Harps and they were a goal to the good after only two minutes.  Harps left back Ciaran Coll was disposed by Chris Mulhall about thirty yards out from the home side’s goal.  Mulhall advanced into the penalty area, but Harps keeper Gavin Cullen managed to dive at the forward’s feet.  Cullen could only watch as the ball trickled across the six yard area into the path of David McMillan who bundled the ball into the net from three yards out.

It took Harps ten minutes to get back on level terms.  Michael Funston, standing two yards inside his own half, floated a long pass forward that was caught by the wind that was on the backs of the Harps players in the first half.  The visitors keeper, Billy Brennan, was standing close to the penalty spot and he could only watch as the ball sailed over his head as he raced back towards his goal and into the roof of the net for a fortuitous goal for the home side.

Harps didn’t stay on level terms for too long.   Straight from the kick-off UCD went on the attack and were awarded a penalty.  David McMillan found himself inside the penalty area and went down under Marc Mukendi’s outstretched leg and the referee awarded the penalty.  Ciaran Kilduff made no mistake and sent Cullen the wrong way from the resultant spot-kick.

In a first half of few chances Conor Gethins had the only other shot at goal after thirty-one minutes but he saw his long range effort from twenty yards saved by Brennan.

Robbie Creevy almost increased the visitors lead four minutes after the break.  However, his shot from the edge of the area was parried wide by Gavin Cullen in the Harps goal.

Harps were dealt a blow just after the hour when they lost 17 year old defender Ciaran Coll to a serious looking leg injury.  Mulhall’s late dangerous tackle on the young left-back saw the Harps man stretchered away to a waiting ambulance.  The UCD winger was lucky to be just shown a yellow card.

Harps striker Conor Gethins, making his 100th appearance for the Donegal club, thought he had equalised for the hosts after 70 minutes, but after rounding Breenan in the UCD goal and slotting home for what he thought was his third goal of the season, his celebrations were short lived as the strike was ruled out for off side.

Harps were lucky not to have conceded a third three minutes later.  David McMillan won the ball ahead of the outrushing Gavin Cullen, but Marc Mukendi was on hand to clear McMillan’s angled shot to safety with Cullen stranded.

By now Harps were in control of the game and Conor Gethins had the best opportunity of the night to bring the scores level with eight minutes remaining.  Christy Conaghan’s cross from the left fell to Gethins twelve yards from goal, however, Gethins first time shot flew wide without testing Brennan.

Harps continued to press, however UCD held on to continue their 100% start to the season.

Finn Harps:  Gavin Cullen, Michael Funston, Ciaran Coll, Johnny Havlin, Marc Mukendi, Shaun McGowan, Christy Conaghan, Ruairi Harkin, David McDaid, Conor Gethins, Gary Whoriskey.  Subs: Mark Forker (for Coll 64 mins), Sean Houston (for McDaid 76 mins), Paddy Bonner, Cornelius Gallagher and Ciaran Gallagher.

U.C.D.: Billy Brennan, Sean Harding, Brian Shortall, Andrew Boyle, Evan McMillan, Robby Creevy, John Reilly, Ronan Finn, Ciaran Kilduff, David McMillan, Chris Mulhall. Subs Michael Leahy (for Shortall 64 mins), Peter McMahon (for Reilly 75 mins)Craig Bolger (for Finn 82 mins), Keith Ward, Gerard Bannon.

Referee:  D. Coombes.
 
 
 
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