3 v 1 
St. Pat's AthDetails
| Date | Time | League | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 August 2021 | 8:00 pm | LOI Men's Premier Division | 2021 |
Match Report
Owolabi oozes class for Pat’s
A Babatunde Owolabi hat-trick, was enough to give Finn Harps a 3-1 win over St Patrick’s Athletic at Finn Park tonight.
A brace in the opening half, was followed up by a strike in the 54th minute of the second half, the win giving Harps, only their third home win of the season.
In truth it was a game Harps did not deserve to lose, the home side taking their chances well in attack, while the backline did well to hold out, to come out 3-1 winners.
The opening exchanges looked cagey, as St Pats had the better of the chances, Matty Smith and Nahum Melvin-Lambert combined well, with the latter had an effort toward goal but he could only hit the side netting.
Against the run of play, Harps found themselves 1-0 ahead, Babatunde Owolabi breaking the offside trap, running in behind the Pats defence after a long through ball, the forward cutting back inside, to finish well to the net.
The lead would only last less than 60 seconds however, as Melvin-Lambert was deemed to be fouled in the area, Chris Forrester stepping up and firing home past Mark McGinley, despite the keeper guessing the right way.
After the goal, the game started to settle down, with the rain and wind making their presence known. St Pats failing to convert any chances against the Donegal side.
Just before the break, Owolabi got his second goal of the night, the forward getting in behind again breaking the offside trap, he skipped inside past the defensive challenges, before a wonderful finish to the net.
Less than ten minutes after the restart, Owolabi got his hat-trick, a massive call for offside on this one, the forward in again behind the visitors defence, the forward running into the area before rounding the on rushing Vitezslav Jaros, and finishing to the net.
Owolabi and Barry McNamee both forced saves from Jaros later on in the half, the Saints looking flat in front of goal, substitute Kyrian Nwoko with their best chance of the night, free in the area but his effort came crashing off the post.
Timeline
Past Meetings
Ground
| Finn Park |
|---|
| Finn Park, Navenny Street, Stranorlar Electoral Division, Lifford-Stranorlar Municipal District, County Donegal, F93 Y27K, Ireland |
Diarmuid Kearney
Diarmuid Kearney is a freelance Sports Journalist based in Co Kerry. He has more than 5 years experience covering domestic and international soccer for different media organisations, while also working for local and national print and digital organisations covering GAA.
Stephen Doherty comes in late for Ryan Rainey
Abankwah comes in for Barrett late on for Pats
Hattrick hero Owolabi is replaced Adam Foley
A magnificent chance for Nwoko in the area, but his effort hits the post
Another great save by Jaros to deny Barry McNamee from close range
Another chance for Owolabi but Jaros makes a good save to keep the shot out
First Sub for Harps as Johnny Dunleavy replaces Karl O'Sullivan
A massive hint of offside as Owolabi got in behind the Pats defence, but the forward got around Jaros and fired home
Pats had earlier made three changes at the break Hickman, Burns and Coughlan on for McClelland, King and Melvin-Lambert.
TUNDE GETS HIS HAT TRICK
A frantic opening half, sees Harps lead 2-1 at the break, a brace from Tunde Owolabi has them a goal in front
An exceptional goal by the Harps forward, he skips around the Pats box and fires into the net, a tremendous finish
WHAT AN UNBELIEVABLE GOAL BY TUNDE OWOLABI
Since the Pats penalty, it has been an even game, the typical Donegal weather is here this evening, the rain and wind making conditions difficult
Chris Forrester converts the spot kick, the Harps lead lasting less than 60 seconds
PENALTY ST PATS
Finn Harps take the lead!!, Babatunde Owolabi breaks the offside trap and runs in behind the Pats defence, the forward cutting back inside the finish well to the net
Early chance for St Pats, great link up play between Matty Smith and Nahum Melvin-Lambert, with the latter shooting toward goal but he hits the side netting
Tonights game has implications at both ends of the table, a win for Harps would see them keep Waterford at least a point at bay with a game in hand, St Pats on the other hand, will go level with Shamrock Rovers at the top unless they get a +5 goal difference tonight, they will have played two games more however, over their fellow Dubliners
The visitors St Patricks Athletic shows one change from the win over Waterford last week, Jay McClelland comes in for Lee Desmond
Looking at the two teams, Finn Harps have Mark Coyle, Ethan Boyle and Karl O'Sullivan come in for Kosovar Sadiki, Shane McEleney and Dan Hawkins.
You are very welcome to tonights action at Finn Park, where Finn Harps welcome St Patricks Athletic, forecast calls for rain this evening, as the hosts will look to rain on the parade of Pats potential title challenge, as they look to but breathing space between themselves and relegation. My name is Diarmuid Kearney and I will keep you updated on this evenings tie