Video

Details

Date Time League Season
11 September 2022 7:00 pm LOI Men's Premier Division 2022

Match Report

Five star Shamrock Rovers hammer Harps

The clash of top vs bottom went very much to script this evening as Shamrock Rovers extended their league lead by putting five past a sorry Finn Harps side in Tallaght.  

Farrugia put the hosts ahead early on, and a flurry of goals in the last ten minutes of the first half from Gaffney, Lyons, and Farrugia once more had this game well and truly over before the break. 

The Hoops are preparing to travel to Belgium on Tuesday to face Gent in the Conference League in high spirits as they’ve extended their lead at the top to four points once more, also having a game in hand on Derry in second.

Shamrock Rovers controlled the ball right from the off and made their early pressure count just before the 10-minute mark. Jack Byrne held the ball at the edge of the area and played a slick back heel pass to Andy Lyons who saw his curling shot saved by McKeown but the ball fell to the feet of Farrugia just 8 yards out who slotted into the gaping net to give the hosts the lead. 

Harps' ill-discipline early in the game did not help matters either. McWoods and Duncan were both shown yellow by referee Derek Tomney for two cynical fouls inside the first 15 minutes of the match. 

Shortly after the half hour mark Rovers made it two. Rory Gaffney floated a cross into the box that caused Ryan Rainey to barge through Greene, leaving the ref no choice but to point to the spot. Rory Gaffney stepped on and drilled the spot kick low and hard into the bottom left corner to double the hosts' advantage. 

Rovers put the game to bed moments later as they made it three. August Player of the Month Andy Lyons smashed home into the roof of the net after some great play down the right-hand side that led to Gaffney laying off to Lyons at the edge of the area. 

It was four for Shamrock Rovers just three minutes after their third. Farrugia once more scored from close range, this time off his left foot but it was all made by Jack Byrne whose incredible eye of the needle pass split the defense and found Farrugia one on one with McKeown. 

Serdeniuk came off the bench at the break to make his Rovers debut along with Emakhu, as they took the opportunity to give Lyons and Greene some well-needed rest ahead of their constant busy schedule. 

Jordanian International Jaime Siaj got one back for Harps just before the hour mark. McWoods played a lovely through ball to Siaj who first time struck the ball towards the top left corner past Mannus. A great finish from the debutant just ten minutes into his debut. 

Siaj hit the bar moments later from close range which would have opened this game right up but Rovers put an end to any comeback talk two minutes later as Jack Byrne added his name to the scoresheet, rolling the ball into an empty net after Emakhu forced McKeown into a fine save. 

The hosts ran the bench after scoring the fifth, with all five changes made just after the hour mark. Tetteh, Power, and Burke all seeing some game time. 

Rovers saw the game out with ease towards the end, sending their fans home happy and looking ahead to a trip to Belgium on Thursday knowing their lead at the top is safe.

Shamrock Rovers

1Alan Mannus Goalkeeper
2Sean Gannon Defender
5Lee Grace Defender
6Daniel Cleary Defender
9Aaron Greene 38 Forward
11Sean Kavanagh Defender
16Gary O’Neill 14 Midfielder 26'
20Rory Gaffney 28 Forward 33'
22Andy Lyons 18 Defender 40'
23Neil Farrugia 10 Midfielder 8', 42'
29Jack Byrne Midfielder 63'
25Leon Pohls Goalkeeper
8Ronan Finn Midfielder
10Graham Burke 23 Forward
14Simon Power 16 Midfielder
18Viktor Serdeniuk 22 Midfielder
21Justin Ferizaj Midfielder
26Chris McCann Midfielder
28Gideon Tetteh 20 Forward
38Aidomo Emakhu 9 Midfielder

Finn Harps

25James McKeown Goalkeeper
4Rob Slevin 15 Defender
6Ryan Connolly Midfielder
7Gary Boylan 16 Defender
8Eric McWoods 14 Forward 15'
11Barry McNamee 18 Midfielder
17Elie-Gael N’Zeyi Midfielder
22Ryan Rainey Midfielder 35'
24Ethan Boyle Defender
33Filip Mihaljevic Forward
56Dylan Duncan 32 Midfielder 6'
99Gavin Mulreany Goalkeeper
10Mark Timlin Midfielder
12Luke Rudden Forward
14Adam McCaffrey 8 Midfielder
15Jose Carrillo 4 Defender
16Harry Nicolson 7 Defender
18Robert Jones 11 Forward
20Sean O’Donnell Forward
32Jaime Siaj 56 Forward 58'
  • 90'

    Full-time. Shamrock Rovers 5-1 Finn Haprs. The full match report is now available to read, thank you for joining!

  • 90'

    Coming into the final minute of the game. Rovers showed their class in the first half and will be delighted to have put the game to bed by the break and get some of the regulars some much-needed rest. Their incredible home form continues.

  • 87'

    Double Harps change: Carillo and McCaffery replace McWoods and Slevin.

  • 79'

    McWoods forces Mannus into a great save. Harps playing right till the end.

  • 77'

    This game is fizzling out as Rovers are dominating the ball but not pushing for a sixth, seventh or eighth anytime soon.

  • 72'

    Nicolson replaces Boylan for Finn Harps.

  • 72'

    Sub Jones is booked for a tackle that he immediately knew was a tad bit late.

  • 65'

    Triple sub for Rovers, Gaffney, Farrugia and O'Neill are off. Tetteh, Power and Burke on. Jones replaces McNamee replaced by Jones for Harps.

  • 62'

    Nevermind the comeback. Jack Byrne scores into an empty net after the rebound from Emakhu's close-range effort ended up as Byrne's feet.

  • 61'

    Siaj hits the bar! Harps looking bright now. Mihaljevic fond Siaj who was falling backwards as he tried to add a second.

  • 58'

    Goal for Finn Harps! Jaime Siaj smashes past Mannus first time after a lovely through ball from McWoods....Game on?

  • 52'

    A Harps free kick from Boylan forces a save out of Mannus. Their best chance of the game so far.

  • 46'

    Jordanian Siaj comes off the bench for Harps replacing Duncan who was booked in the first half.

  • 46'

    Rovers make changes at the break. Emakhu on for Greene. Also Ukrainian Serdeniuk makes his debut replacing Andy Lyons.

  • 45'

    Half time, Rovers lead 4-0. League positions are not lying today.

  • 43'

    Wow wow wow. Farrugia finished well from close range once more off his left foot, but Jack Byrne with the assist, absolutely incredible eye of the needle pass to set it up was a moment of pure class. The game is well and truly over.

  • 40'

    And there you have it, Andy Lyons with a superb finish from about 15 yards out. Smashing high into the roof of the net after Gaffney rolled the ball into his path.

  • 39'

    Goes without saying but Harps need the next goal here otherwise this could get nasty.

  • 34'

    Rory Gaffney stands over the spot kick and smashed low and hard into the bottom left corner. Rovers double their lead.

  • 34'

    Penalty to Rovers! Gaffney plays a ball in that causes Rainey to barge over Greene in the box. Rainey is booked.

  • 33'

    A very flat atmosphere in front of a small Tallaght crowd as we tick over the half-hour mark, not a thriller by any means.

  • 30'

    Andy Lyons acrobatic scorpion backwards volley is saved from the corner. Wild attempt, could've been a Puskas nominee!

  • 29'

    Jack Byrne again attempting to pull strings showing off his impressive range of passing. Rovers with a corner as a result of a clearance.

  • 25'

    Gary O'Neill is the latest to go into the book for an aggressive foul on McNamee

  • 21'

    Farrugia with a great solo run saw his effort blocked, would've been a sensational goal.

  • 16'

    McWoods is booked for one of the most obvious shirt pulls i've ever witnessed.

  • 13'

    McWoods found himself through but Grace blocks his attempted effort. Harps beginning to wake up.

  • 12'

    Rovers making their early pressure count and this game does really look like top versus bottom.

  • 9'

    GOAL! Farrugia scores from close range. Byrne with some great build up play lead to a shot that was palmed into the area and Farrugia slots home.

  • 7'

    Dylan Duncan booked for a cynical foul.

  • 6'

    Jack Byrne plays an incredible ball to find Greene but he scuffs the effort.

  • 4'

    Mihaljevic with the first effort of the game. Shot from range straight at Mannus, no trouble.

  • 1'

    Kick-off in Tallaght!

  • The team news is confirmed in the tab to your right, Rovers are without the suspended Dylan Watts.

  • My name is Sam Mansfield and i'll be keeping you up to date here with all the action as it happens.

  • Good Evening, Shamrock Rovers return to league action tonight in Tallaght with a game that has massive implications at both ends of the table.

Past Meetings

(Round 22)
0 - 1
LOI Men's Premier Division
Finn Park

Finn Harps v Shamrock Rovers

(Round 14)
3 - 1
LOI Men's Premier Division
Tallaght Stadium

Shamrock Rovers v Finn Harps

(Round 8)
0 - 3
LOI Men's Premier Division
Finn Park

Finn Harps v Shamrock Rovers

(Series 33)
3 - 0
LOI Men's Premier Division
Tallaght Stadium

Shamrock Rovers v Finn Harps

(Series 26)
2 - 1
LOI Men's Premier Division
Finn Park

Finn Harps v Shamrock Rovers

(Series 15)
1 - 1
LOI Men's Premier Division
Tallaght Stadium

Shamrock Rovers v Finn Harps

6 - 2
eLOI

Shamrock Rovers v Finn Harps

(Series 8)
0 - 2
LOI Men's Premier Division
Finn Park

Finn Harps v Shamrock Rovers

(Quarter Final)
2 - 3
FAI Cup
Finn Park

Finn Harps v Shamrock Rovers

(Series 15)
0 - 2
LOI Men's Premier Division
Finn Park

Finn Harps v Shamrock Rovers

(Series 6)
3 - 1
LOI Men's Premier Division
Tallaght Stadium

Shamrock Rovers v Finn Harps

1 - 0
LOI Men's Premier Division
Tallaght Stadium

Shamrock Rovers FC v Finn Harps FC

0 - 3
LOI Men's Premier Division
Finn Park

Finn Harps FC v Shamrock Rovers FC

0 - 1
LOI Men's Premier Division
Finn Park

Finn Harps FC v Shamrock Rovers FC

3 - 0
LOI Men's Premier Division
Tallaght Stadium

Shamrock Rovers FC v Finn Harps FC

4 - 1
LOI Men's Premier Division
Tallaght Stadium

Shamrock Rovers FC v Finn Harps FC

0 - 1
LOI Men's Premier Division
Finn Park

Finn Harps FC v Shamrock Rovers FC

3 - 2
LOI Men's Premier Division
Tallaght Stadium

Shamrock Rovers FC v Finn Harps FC

2
LOI Men's Premier Division
Finn Park

Finn Harps FC v Shamrock Rovers FC

1 - 1
LOI Men's Premier Division
Tallaght Stadium

Shamrock Rovers FC v Finn Harps FC

1
LOI Men's Premier Division
Finn Park

Finn Harps FC v Shamrock Rovers FC

Ground

Tallaght Stadium
Tallaght Stadium, Whitestown Way, Tallaght, Dublin 24, D24 XC9W

26-year-old TV, Radio, and New Media graduate from MTU Kerry based in the Kingdom with a passion for a variety of sports.