1 v 1 
Longford TownDetails
| Date | Time | League | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 June 2021 | 8:00 pm | LOI Men's Premier Division | 2021 |
Match Report
Harps and Longford finish score-less
In a highly dramatic encounter at Finn Park, neither side could find the breakthrough in the second half as Finn Harps and Longford Town played out a stalemate.
After both sides scored in the opening 45 minutes, Harps had the best opportunity to wrap up the tie in the second half but Barry McNamee had his penalty saved by Lee Steacy who was phenomenal in the Longford goal.
The visitors found the target on the 12th minute with plenty of drama involved in the Longford opener, as the linesman had flagged for offside but the referee overused the decision. It all started with Dylan Grimes fired a shot from outside the area which struck the crossbar, the ball fell to Aaron Robinson who’s header found Aaron Dobs in the Harps box who fired past McGinley.
Harps responded just five minutes later, a cross on the right cleared by the Longford defence which fell to Barry McNamee on the edge of the box, who played a lovely ball into Babatude Owolabi who beat his man and fired to the roof of the net.
One could have been two shortly after for Finn Harps. The ever present Adam Foley got into the Longford box but hit a wayward shot off the bar.
Another chance late on in the first half came for Harps, as Babatunde again raced through midfield playing a quick 1-2 before his shot was saved again by Steacy.
Harps began the second half in similar fashion to how they finished the first, a wonderful pass in behind by Adam Foley saw Owolabi run towards the Longford goal, the Harps forward holding up the ball before forcing yet another fine save from Steacy.
Yet more drama ensued from the resulting corner, as the referee awarded a penalty to Finn Harps, as Owolabi’s header struck the arm of a Longford defender. Barry McNamee stepped up to take the spot kick but the penalty was saved by Steacy.
The second half lacked action after the Harps penalty chance, neither side could convert any chances and would eventually share the points, as Longford record their first points since traveling to Derry at the start of May.
Timeline
| 7' | 8. Aodh Dervin | |
| 1. Mark McGinley | 12' | |
| 12' | 10. Aaron Dobbs | |
| 7. Babatunde Owolabi | 18' | |
| 4. Kosovar Sadiki | 59' | |
| Will Seymore Conor Barry | 62' | |
| 70' | 2. Shane Elworthy | |
| Shane McEleney Sean Boyd | 75' | |
| 79' | Aaron Dobbs Rob Manley | |
| 85' | Aaron McNally Karl Chambers | |
| Babatunde Owolabi Ryan Rainey | 93' |
Past Meetings
|
(Series 6)
0 - 0LOI Men's Premier Division
Bishopsgate, Longford Longford Town v Finn Harps |
1LOI Men's Premier Division
Finn Park Finn Harps FC v Longford Town FC |
2LOI Men's Premier Division
Bishopsgate, Longford Longford Town FC v Finn Harps FC |
1LOI Men's Premier Division
Finn Park Finn Harps FC v Longford Town FC |
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.
It finishes all square here tonight as Finn Harps and Longford share the spoils, nothing could separate the sides, it finishes Finn Harps 1, Longford 1
Ryan Rainey comes in late on for the injured Owolabi
Karl Chambers comes in for Aaron McNally
Into the last 5 minutes here as both sides look to find a late winner
Like for like sub as Rob Manley replaces goalscorer Aaron Dobs
Sean Boyd comes in to replace the injured Shane McEleney
A booking for the Longford defender as he brings down Karl O'Sullivan
First change of the night as Conor Barry comes in for Will Seymore
Sadiki brings down a Longford man, as Dylan Grimes lines up the free kick
PENALTY SAVED BY STEACY
Penalty shout here for a possible hand ball
Second half kicks off
Half time here in Ballybofey, after some early drama with Aaron Dobs scoring the opener for Longford where he looked offside to the linesman, Babatunde Owolabi managed to finish a scrappy run of play to level matters
Big chance for Harps to go ahead but Will Seymore sees his shot saved by Lee Steacy in the Longford goal
Harps level matters 5 minutes later as Babatunde Owolabi nets his second of the season
The Harps keeper booked for talking to the referee after the Longford goal
Very dramtic goal here in Donegal, Aaron Dobs has the ball in the net after the linesman had his flag up, but the referee has over ruled him, 1-0 Longford
Longford Towns Aodh Dervin picks up a yellow after showing some frustration
Finn Harps starting the better of the two sides forcing an early corner
Longford Town will kick us off
A welcome return for spectators here at Finn Park tonight, despite only a small number of spectators being allowed attend the game in current restrictions, we hope for a great atmosphere!
Conditions are great here for an evenings game, the narrow field in Ballybofey is set to be a test for the visitors as many a side has struggled here in the past
Despite equalising within seconds of conceding Longford Town suffered a cruel 2-1 defeat to Waterford at home last Friday night. While they will welcome back manager Daire Doyle to the dug out as his suspension comes to an end, centre back Michael McDonnell will miss tonights action after being shown a straight red late on in last weeks clash.
The home side will be looking to bounce back from a heavy defeat last time out, as they suffered a 4-1 defeat to St Pats on the road at Richmond Park. Harps danger man Adam Foley will look to continue his scoring form, with the forward netting 8 goals so far this season
Good Evening from Finn Park, my name is Diarmuid Kearney and I will bring you live updates tonight, as Finn Harps welcome bottom of the table Longford Town to Ballybofey. Both sides will be looking to come home with 3 points as we near the mid way point in the season neither team will want the threat of relegation over their heads