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Date Time League Season
5 June 2023 5:00 pm LOI Men's First Division 2023

Match Report

Galway Hit Harps For Six To Go Ten Clear

Galway gave Finn Harps a nightmare from start to finish as the league leaders hit four goals in twenty opening minutes to cruise to victory at Eamonn Deacy Park.

It was a pulsating start from the league leaders and foreshadowed the one-sided first half to come in the second minute when David Hurley’s clever free kick found Killian Brouder whose shot was blocked last-minute.

It was a warning they didn’t heed.  The chaotic Harps defending wilting spectacularly not long after.

With four minutes elapsed, former Harps man Regan Donelon strode purposefully down the left flank, picked out a pinpoint cross and steaming in at the back stick was Darren Clarke whose cushioned half-volley was a thing of beauty, putting Galway ahead early.

From there, they pushed on, strutting as league leaders do.  

Their second strike was made of slick stuff, triangle passing between Hurley and Clarke creating room for the latter to drive a cross into the mixer and Brouder was in the right place at the right time to double the home lead.

Swifty, two became three as Stephen Walsh thundered a header home from Ben McCormack’s corner before Maurice Nugent made it four with a carbon copy of their third goal.

4-0 in twenty minutes to the delight of the Eamonn Deacy Park faithful!

Under bright sun, the game was played at a fast pace and Sean O’Donnell had Harps’ best chance repelled by an alert Brendan Clarke before Keith Cowan headed straight at him.

In a feisty half with three bookings, Harps momentum from two games unbeaten previously, evaporated like water under the sunlight.

Rubbing salt in Finn Harps wounds was the introduction of Vincent Borden, matchwinner in Ballybofey, at the break for Galway. 

He rifled high after fifty minutes but three minutes later Rob Manley capitalised on more defensive pinball to scuff home from close-range, 5-0, cueing a celebratory hair flick for Ollie Horgan!

Galway emptied the bench but continued to control the tempo, steadily looking for a sixth but only managing a half chance when Borden’s cross narrowly evaded Edward McCarthy. 

Finn Harps looked like their tank had been emptied by the bruising first twenty minutes and were unable to get anymore of an attacking foothold as the game progressed. 

The slumbering second half finished though with a sixth, David Hurley converting a penalty for his tenth strike this season after Francely Lomboto was dragged down.

Borden hit the post with the last action as the siege continued.

Youngsters Max Johnston and Sean O’Kane got thrown into the fray late on but the game, as a contest, had long been over.

Next for Galway is a trip to Wexford on Friday night, looking to continue this fine form.  Finn Harps go to Longford Town the evening after, desperate for a bounce back. 

Galway Utd

1Brendan Clarke Goalkeeper
3Regan Donelon 29 Defender
5Killian Brouder Defender 11'
39'
6Maurice Nugent Defender 19'
20Evan O’Connor Defender
10David Hurley Midfielder 89'
22Conor McCormack 17 Midfielder 31'
23Darren Clarke 19 Midfielder 4'
24Edward McCarthy 8 Midfielder
7Stephen Walsh 27 Forward 15'
9Rob Manley Forward 53'
16Alex Rutter Goalkeeper
8Mikie Rowe 24 Midfielder
11Ibrahim Keita Forward
17Vincent Borden 22 Defender
19Francely Lomboto 23 Forward
21Colm Horgan Defender
25Aaron Neary Forward
27Steven Healy 7 Midfielder
29Oisin O’Reilly 3 Defender

Finn Harps

1Tim Heimer Goalkeeper
4Daithi McCallion Defender
5Keith Cowan 24 Defender
6Noe Baba Defender
7Ryan Flood Defender 54'
8Katlego Mashigo 15 Midfielder
9Filip Da Silva 3 Forward
10Michael Harris Forward
11Seamas Keogh 21 Midfielder
17Shane McMonagle Midfielder
20Sean O’Donnell Forward 9'
25Oisin Cooney Goalkeeper
3Max Johnston 9 Forward
15Kevin Jordan 8 Defender 79'
16Brendan McLaughlin Forward
21Damian Duffy 11 Midfielder
24Sean O’Kane 5 Midfielder
44Shaunie Bradley Forward
  • 94'

    FULL TIME- All over!

  • 90'

    Four minute added

  • 89'

    Dave Hurley converts!

  • 88'

    PENALTY TO GALWAY

  • 83'

    Youngsters Max Johnston and Sean O'Kane on for Finn Harps in the closing stages

  • 80'

    Evan O'Connor with some neat touches to cheer the crowd, Harps look exhausted

  • 71'

    Double change from the league leaders- Mikie Rowe replaces McCarthy and Oisin O'Reilly on for Donelon

  • 68'

    Borden almost finds Edward McCarthy but Harps survive, the home side pushing, steadily, for a sixth

  • 64'

    More great play by Clarke but Flood tackles firmly, as changes are now made. Steven Healy in for namesake Walsh and Francely Lomboto also on

  • 54'

    Ryan Flood booked in more woe for the away side

  • 53'

    Manley makes it five! Instinctive finish after a scuffle in the box

  • 50'

    Borden, who bagged a brace against Finn Harps in Ballybofey, drives just wide!

  • 46'

    Underway again! Change each as Vincent Borden in for McCormack while Kevin Jordan on for Mashigo for Harps

  • 45'

    HALF TIME- Stunning from Galway, disaster for Finn Harps, 4-0 at the break

  • 44'

    More slick Galway play creates a chance for Rob Manley but Heimer reacts quickly to save

  • 39'

    Third yellow of the game as Brouder charges into da Silva

  • 34'

    Damian Duffy on for Seamas Keogh as Harps are forced into an early change

  • 31'

    McCormack in the book to John Caulfield and Ollie Horgan's disbelief...

  • 27'

    Chance for five as Walsh gets on to Clarke's teasing cross but Tim Heimer gathers

  • 22'

    Big save by home keeper Brendan Clarke, denying O'Donnell from close range, Harps' only chance so far!

  • 19'

    4-0, another corner, another goal! Maurice Nugent heads in from another McCormack cross, Harps look shellshocked!

  • 15'

    Ben McCormack floats a corner in and Walsh powers a header home, all too easy for Galway!

  • 11'

    2-0 Galway! Brouder prods home after sumptuous play between Hurley and Clarke who lashes across goal for Brouder to tuck home!

  • 9'

    Shaun O'Donnell finally collects Harps' first booking, scything down Stephen Walsh, another threatening home free

  • 6'

    Feisty tackles aplenty early on as Galway win a free- Harps need to settle themselves

  • 4'

    Darren Clarke lashes home a lovely half-volley after Regan Donelon's delightful left-footed cross, the leaders have started well!

  • 2'

    Clever from Galway, Killian Brouder's flick is blocked after a nifty free kick by David Hurley catches Harps out, Maurice Nugent's resulting header drifst wide

  • KICK OFF- Away we go!

  • Hello and welcome to today's bank holiday LOI action. Here, I'm Rory Morrow and I'll be updating you on all the action at Eamonn Deacy Park as runaway First Division leaders Galway United welcome a lowly Finn Harps, kick off is at 5pm

Past Meetings

(Round 1)
1 - 2
LOI Men's First Division
Finn Park

Finn Harps FC 1-2 Galway United FC

1 - 3
LOI Men's Premier Division
Finn Park

Finn Harps FC v Galway United FC

2 - 1
LOI Men's Premier Division
Eamonn Deacy Park

Galway United FC v Finn Harps FC

1 - 1
LOI Men's Premier Division
Finn Park

Finn Harps FC v Galway United FC

3 - 2
LOI Men's Premier Division
Eamonn Deacy Park

Galway United FC v Finn Harps FC

1
LOI Men's Premier Division
Finn Park

Finn Harps FC v Galway United FC

1
LOI Men's Premier Division
Eamonn Deacy Park

Galway United FC v Finn Harps FC

Ground

Eamonn Deacy Park
Eamonn Deacy Park, Dyke Road, Terryland, Menlough, Galway City, County Galway, Connacht, H91 ET6N, Ireland