1 v 2 
Galway UtdVideo
Details
| Date | Time | League | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17 February 2023 | 8:00 pm | LOI Men's First Division | 2023 |
Match Report
Vincent Borden’s brace sealed a winning return to Finn Park for Ollie Horgan and co as Galway United began their promotion bid with a 2-1 victory. This was an intriguing opening night encounter between relegated Harps, starting with new faces aplenty (nine debuts in total) and stung playoff finalists Galway, who added further intrigue with nine-year Harps manager Ollie Horgan returning as John Caulfield’s assistant manager tonight. Finn Harps were hardly solid in defence last year and their new-look backline were shaken early on, Tim Heimer having a busy night in nets on debut! And within the opening five minutes, Heimer was plucking the ball out of his net. Ronan Manning’s free kick was deceptive, Harps’ marking non-existent. That left Killian Brouder free to square it across to Borden for a tap-in and early lead. As the host weathered a storm of weather and Galway possession, a familiar sight was on show midway through the half. Horgan, booked for dissent to the home crowd’s delight. Yet that was all they had to cheer as Heimer denied Stephen Walsh twice before Harps got a lifeline. Caoimhin Porter’s cross was controlled by Michael Harris who was bundled to the floor. Ryan Rainey, a rare face of familiarity, lashed it home with reassuring oomph. Manning brushed the side netting shortly into the second half, cueing jeers from Harps fans. But in an ironic twist, Galway retook the lead against the run of play ten minutes later, Borden side footing neatly into the bottom corner after Manning made headway on the wing. There were big chances for more goals as the rain thumped on down. Cian Lynch, making a debut from the bench, was denied an equaliser by Brendan Clarke. Seconds later, Edward McCarthy should have secured the points when he was through one-on-one only for his timid strike to be parried well by Heimer. Canny game management saw Galway ride out injury time drama-free, as they established an immediate benchmark for fellow First Division promotion-chasers to follow. LOI FD Report: Borden Strikes Twice To Seal Points for Galway
Timeline
| 5' | 17. Vincent Borden | |
| 11. Daniel Okwute | 13' | |
| 41' | 4. Rob Slevin | |
| 41' | 9. Rob Manley | |
| 11. Ryan Rainey | 43' | |
| Daniel Okwute Cian Lynch | 51' | |
| 18. Ellis Farrar | 58' | |
| 60' | Rob Manley David Hurley | |
| 61' | 17. Vincent Borden | |
| 14. Caoimhin Porter | 63' | |
| 11. Ryan Rainey | 65' | |
| Seamas Keogh Filip Da Silva | 70' | |
| 4. Daithi McCallion | 74' | |
| 77' | 5. Killian Brouder | |
| 78' | 3. Regan Donelon | |
| 81' | Edward McCarthy Maurice Nugent | |
| Michael Harris Sean O'Donnell | 88' | |
| 89' | Ronan Manning Mikie Rowe | |
| 89' | Stephen Walsh Francely Lomboto | |
| 90+4' | 6. Maurice Nugent |
Past Meetings
1 - 3LOI Men's Premier Division
Finn Park Finn Harps FC v Galway United FC |
2 - 1LOI Men's Premier Division
Eamonn Deacy Park Galway United FC v Finn Harps FC |
1 - 1LOI Men's Premier Division
Finn Park Finn Harps FC v Galway United FC |
3 - 2LOI Men's Premier Division
Eamonn Deacy Park Galway United FC v Finn Harps FC |
1LOI Men's Premier Division
Finn Park Finn Harps FC v Galway United FC |
1LOI Men's Premier Division
Eamonn Deacy Park Galway United FC v Finn Harps FC |
Ground
| Finn Park |
|---|
| Finn Park, Navenny Street, Stranorlar Electoral Division, Lifford-Stranorlar Municipal District, County Donegal, F93 Y27K, Ireland |
Rory Morrow
QUB Student, passion for Sports Journalism Editor @ The Gown QUB Newspaper Reporter for @ FinalWhistle
FULL TIME- Finn Harps-1 Galway United-2. GALWAY WITH THE OPENING DAY WIN THANKS TO VINCENT BORDEN'S BRACE!
Corner Galway- just where they want to be at this stage!
Double late change for Galway as they look to see out the win- Francely Lomboto and Mikey Rowe on for manning and Walsh
Striker Sean O'Donnell has been flung on in place of Harris
CHANCE- Pinball from a corner sees Clarke smother Katlego Mashigo's effort for the hosts
FINAL FIVE MINUTES- It's all hands to the pump for both teams now. Ollie Horgan and John Caulfield are bellowing instructions to the Galway players whilst a packed Finn Park encourages their team on
Maurice Nugent on for the final ten to shore things up for Galway, McCarthy makes way as Harps win a corner
SAVE- Now Heimer is the hero! Edward McCarthy is clean through, with just the keeper to beat but Heimer gets himself in the way, that could and should have been game to Galway!
SAVE- Big save Brendan Clarke! Lynch was through and one-on-one but the Galwegian stayed tall!
The hard-working Keogh departs for Fabio da Silva
Michael Harris booked for a foul as Harps' frustration begins to seep in
GOAL- Borden has a brace and Galway are ahead again! The American slotting into the bottom corner after silky setup work from Manning
CHANCE- At both ends! Lynch first works Brendan Clarke before Galway break, with Walsh firing just wide
Forward Cian Lynch is on for his Finn Harps debut replacing Okustwe
CLOSE- Manning brushes the side-netting from outside the box to jeers from the Harps fans
SECOND HALF- Off we go again!
HALF TIME- And with that, the interval is upon us
Ryan Rainey lashes it home, all level as Finn Park erupts!
PENALTY TO FINN HARPS
SHOT- Walsh takes on a swerving long-range shot that a grateful Heimer grasps into his midriff
The home side's best spell of prolonged attacking comes to an end as Porter miscues a cross out of play
CHANCE- Should be 2-0. A dithering Heimer gets caught trying to play out by Walsh who spins and shoots but is denied by the recovering Heimer's goalline block
Ollie Horgan, formerly of Harps, is booked on the touchline, to the delight of the home crowd!
Galway dominant, demonstrating both physicality and poise as Harps are under the cosh here early
Vincent Borden puts Galway ahead early. Ronan Manning's free kick is tapped back across by Killian Boulder and Borden has an easy finish!
Harps' Tim Heimer is the first goalkeeper extended, saving from Stephen Walsh's shot
KICK OFF- The 2023 First Division begins for Finn Harps and Galway United!
TEN MINUTES TO KICK OFF
TEAM NEWS- As for Galway, who have course bring former Harps manager Horgan back to Finn Park as their new assistant manager tonight. There are also early reunions for defenders Rob Slevin and Regan Donelon whilst Brendan Clarke guards the nets
TEAM NEWS- Finn Harps first and for Dave Roger's first game at the Harps helm, only Ryan Rainey remains from last season as there are NINE debutants starting. These include Derry City loanee pair Caoimhin Porter and Daithai McCallion. Seamas Keogh, signed from Sligo. Keith Cowan is named captain
WELCOME- Good evening and welcome to a new season in the League of Ireland! Tonight has some mouth-watering opening games but here I'll be keeping you updated on two promotion contenders from the First Division as Finn Harps host Galway United. Kick off is 8pm