Finn Harps 2
Derry City 1
Alan Foley reports from Finn Park
FINN HARPS POSTED only their second ever league win over Derry City in front of a bumper crowd of 4,500 in Ballybofey to start life in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division with a bang.
Not since 1998 had the Donegal side overcame their neighbours when Donal O’Brien scored the winning goal.
Tonight, in their 30th league meeting, O’Brien had a good view – he’s assistant to Derry City’s new manager Kenny Shiels – as two Harps new-boys in the from of Dave Scully and Ryan Curran scored the goals.
Derry pulled one back in the 92nd minute when Rory Patterson got free and finished expertly past Ciaran Gallagher.
Harps, back in the top flight for the first time since 2008, took the lead in the last minute of the first half when Scully rose highest in a crowded penalty area following a free-kick from another new arrival in Ballybofey, Adam Hanlon.
It was the hosts’ first effort on target and they’d survived a huge scare moments beforehand when goalkeeper Gallagher fluffed an attempted punch to clear Gareth McGlynn’s corner.
Derry captain Ryan McBride saw his follow-up blocked by Ciaran Coll on the line as the visiting support howled for a goal and then, from a couple of yards out, Jordan Allan headed inexplicably off target.
With Ollie Horgan, the Harps manager, starting with four new faces since their promotion last season, it took the home side a while to settle. In the meantime, Derry saw Allan miscue an early header and McGlynn was denied by a last ditch block from Damien McNulty.
But with something to hold onto on a heavy pitch, the dogged Harps were comfortable enough for long spells in the second half.
Then, in the 75th minute a header from central defender Keith Cowan fell to Curran. Derry’s offside line was scattered and Curran – signed by Harps from Derry in the close season and the son of 1989 treble winner at the Brandywell, Paul – kept his cool to steer past Doherty.
Harps looked to be seeing the game out as sections of the Derry support made their way off into the night.
However, Patterson’s late goal made for a nervy conclusion in a late downpour, but Harps held on and it was those of a blue and white persuasion who were singing in the rain soon after when Tommy Connolly blew for time.
Finn Harps
Ciaran Gallagher; Damien McNulty, Packie Mailey, Keith Cowan, Ciaran Coll; Dave Scully, Barry Molloy (Raymond Foy ’78), Gareth Harkin, Adam Hanlon (Kevin McHugh ’88); Sean Houston (Tony McNamee ’19), Ryan Curran.
Derry City
Gerard Doherty; Niclas Vemmelund, Ryan McBride, Aaron Barry, Dean Jarvis; Conor McCormack (Harry Monaghan ’76), Aaron McEneff, Barry McNamee, Gareth McGlynn (Ronan Curtis ’70); Jordan Allan (Nathan Boyle ’60), Rory Patterson.
Referee: Tommy Connolly.
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