Full Time in Finn Park where Finn Harps left it late to earn a 2-2 draw against Galway United. The visitors were forced to play 65 minutes with just ten men, and the home side made their advantage count, Daithi McCallion scoring a 90^th minute equalizer, and it was no less than Harps deserved.

For much of the opening half, Finn Harps were arguably the better side. The home team looked to attack on the front foot, regularly spreading the ball wide to Jamie Watson and Ryan Flood, who looked to pick out danger-man BJ Banda with crosses into the box. Galway never appeared fully settled into this game in the first half, and found themselves under serious pressure from Harps.

Very much against the run of play, in the 16^th minute it was the visitors who took the lead in this match thanks to a wonderful goal from Ronan Manning, who chipped Harps goalkeeper Antonio Tuta from 20 yards out. From a Finn Harps goal kick, centre-back Scott Wara received the pass under pressure from the oncoming Manning. Wara attempted to turn his way out of danger, only for Manning to anticipate his movement and stealing the ball from underneath the defender’s feet. Manning then ran 15 yards into the Finn Harps box and was faced with the oncoming Tuta, who sped off of his line. The winger calmly dinked the ball over the keeper and into the back of the net, giving the visitors the lead despite Harps’ strong start.

The home side responded well to the goal and looked to issue a response. Momentum had swung in Harps’ favour in the 23^rd minute when Galway were reduced to ten men, following a dangerous tackle from Vincent Borden on Jamie Watson. With the ball loose in midfield, Borden charged in to the oncoming Watson with his studs raised. Borden was shown a straight red card, and there were a number of subsequent yellows handed out for the brawl that ensued.

Harps could sense an opportunity to get something from this game, and continued to pile the pressure on the league leaders, who employed a low-block defence straight away when out of possession. Galway would not make any personnel changes, but would drop Edward McCarthy into the defensive line, leaving just Manning and Stephen Walsh as the attacking outlets.

In the closing minutes of the half, Harps pushed for an equaliser, most notably Caoimhin Porter’s effort in the 45^th minute. Watson, on his right wing, produced a dangerous cross into the Galway penalty area, where it found the head of Porter who flicked the ball goal-wards. The ball looked as if it would roll into the back of the net, but Galway’s Killian Brouder got back on his goal-line quickly and cleared the ball on the line.

Harps would be rewarded for their efforts immediately after the break, following a double half-time substitution. Sean O’Donnell and Patrick Ferry were the attacking substitutions made, and they had an instant impact on the game. Ryan Flood picked up the ball on the left wing and was left with time and space to whip in a dangerous ball into Galway’s box. Flood’s cross was met by the head of O’Donnell, who headed the ball into the ground and to the left of Brendan Clarke in goal. Harps found themselves level in this game, with all the momentum and with a numbers advantage, and it was no less than they deserved.

Finn Harps continued to push for the lead and had several opportunities, but they lacked composure in front of goal. Galway made Harps’ pay for their missed opportunities in the 68^th minute when they retook the lead thanks to a Rob Slevin strike. Galway’s corner was initially cleared by a punch from Tuta, but Galway pinned Harps in their own penalty area, and the home side were unable to clear the danger. With the ball bouncing around the penalty area, Slevin swung a leg at the ball, and poked it under Tuta in the Harps net. Despite their lack of chances and control in this game, the league leaders used their experience and class to claw their way back into the game.

Against all the odds, with the game looking over, Finn Harps produced a moment of magic in the 90^th minute to equalize through substitute Daithi McCallion. A Tony McNamee corner evaded every Galway defender inside the penalty area, the ball landing at the feet of McCallion, who got the outside of his boot to the cross. The ball trickled into the back of the net, sending the home fans into celebrations.

Finn Harps utterly deserved the draw, and arguably could have gotten more from this game. Harps were wonderful tonight, and have taken two points off the league leaders in a thrilling contest in Finn Park tonight. Galway did well to earn themselves a draw, considering the early red card, but will be disappointed to have conceded so late in the game.

Full Time. Finn Harps 2-2 Galway United.