THE WAIT IS over. Top flight football is back at Finn Park for the first time since 2008 and who better for Finn Harps to open their season again than neighbours Derry City.
FULL TIME – Harps 2-1 Derry
90+2 mins – GOAL for Rory Patterson, who shoots past Ciaran Gallagher after a pass by Nathan Boyle. FH 2-1 DC
75 mins – GOAL FOR Harps as Ryan Curran beats the offside trap and Gerard Doherty. FH 2-0 DC
69 mins – “It’s only Finn Harps,” roars a Derry fan, mixed with some expletives. Harps are very committed and it’s a slog now on a heavy pitch. Ronan Curtis is on for Gareth McGlynn. FH 1-0 DC
67 mins – yip, the wifi is gone. Harps are reasonably comfortable since half-time with neither side fashioning a chance in part two. Nathan Boyle, on loan here last season from Derry, is on for the visitors. FH 1-0 DC
“Correction to the Finn Harps goalscorer – it’s been scored by No 20 Dave Scully,” says the stadium announcer. Second half is underway
It’s been said here by the stadium announcer that Keith Cowan was the scorer. We’re going to stick with Scully. It’s half-time in Ballybofey. Finn Harps 1-0 Derry City
45 mins – GOAL Dave Scully heads home a cross from Adam Scanlon. FH 1-0 DC
41 mins – Rory Patterson drives a free-kick into the Harps wall. Gareth McGlynn’s corner was fluffed by Ciaran Gallagher and Ryan McBride’s follow-up was blocked by Ciaran Coll before Jordan Allen missed a header from two yards out. Derry fans claimed the ball had crossed the line from McBride’s effort. Visitors should’ve scored. FH 0-0 DC
30 mins – A long throw from Tony Namee reaches Packie Mailey but Ryan McBride clears. From Adam Hanlon’s corner, the header by Ryan Curran is well off target. But better from Harps. FH 0-0 DC
26 mins – Untidy but Harps clear. Rory Patterson plays in Barry McNamee, who has a sight of goal for a second before being surrounded by a posse of Harps players. FH 0-0 DC
21 mins – Swilly Rovers on tour. Keith Cowan is booked for a rather robust challenge on Barry Namee 10 yards inside the Harps half. Free kick some to nothing. FH 0-0 DC
18 mins – Adam Hanlon but now Sean Houston is injured and has gone to the sideline. He will be replaced by Tony McNamee. FH 0-0 DC
17 mins – Adam Hanlon fluffs a cross on the left but is still down and now receiving attention from Harps physio Mickey McGlynn. FH 0-0 DC
15 mins – Nice play from Gareth Harkin in the middle of the field to free Dave Scully but the new signing can’t get his cross in. FH 0-0 DC
13 mins – Barry Molloy plays a good ball to get Ryan Curran running but Derry avert the danger. FH 0-0 DC
11 mins – Rory Patterson smashes a shot high into the night air at the Town End. It’s noticeable that there’s no bounce off the ball in Ciaran Gallagher’s penalty area. FH 0-0 DC
8 mins – Let-off for Harps. Niclas Vemmelund gets the ball wide right to Rory Patterson, who crosses for Gareth McGlynn at the back post. Damien McNulty makes an excellent block. FH 0-0 DC
Tony McNamee Snr was in the pressbox before the game. His son Barry is in the Derry midfield, while Tony is on the bench for Harps. Tony Snr is in the Derry City end
And the visitors:
Derry City: Gerard Doherty; Niclas Vemmelund, Ryan McBride, Aaron Barry, Dean Jarvis; Conor McCormack, Aaron McEneff, Barry McNamee, Gareth McGlynn; Jordan Allan, Rory Patterson
Here’s how Harps have lined out:
Finn Harps: Ciaran Gallagher; Damien McNulty, Packie Mailey, Keith Cowan, Ciaran Coll; Dave Scully, Barry Molloy, Gareth Harkin, Adam Hanlon; Sean Houston, Ryan Curran.
1 min – Derry City almost open the scoring straight away as Gareth McGlynn crosses from the left but Jordan Allen doesn’t get anything on the header. FH 0-0 DC
Terri-Louise Farren is here – Mark Farren’s widow – to a great reception from both the Finn Harps and Derry City supporters
*Disclaimer* the wifi is wonky here so apologies in advance!
Finn Park is almost full with the teams about the come out. Few Derry fans still trickling in at the Lower Navenny Street side and Harps at the opposite corner.
This marks a difficult start to the season for Harps, who are away at double winners Dundalk this day week. They’ve signed Robbie Benson in the close season. No doubt we’ll hear that from Ollie Horgan in the post-match interviews 🙂
The pitch is said to be a little soft underfoot but not bad for the first week in March. It’s chilly – again to be expected – although conditions are fine.
Good crowd here at Finn Park – an expectant sell-out of 4,500 with the visiting supporters here on the gantry side approaching the River End
For the part, Derry have given first starts to Niclas Vemmelund and Jordan Allan, with Rory Patterson and Gareth McGlynn back at the Foyleside club.
Finn Harps manager Ollie Horgan give debuts to Ryan Curran, Adam Hanlon, David Scully and former Derry City captain Barry Molloy.
The team sheets are in:
