Video
Details
Date | Time | League | Season |
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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.
Timeline
23. Darren Clarke | 4' | |
9' | 20. Sean O'Donnell | |
5. Killian Brouder | 11' | |
7. Stephen Walsh | 15' | |
6. Maurice Nugent | 19' | |
22. Conor McCormack | 31' | |
34' | Seamas Keogh Damian Duffy | |
5. Killian Brouder | 39' | |
Conor McCormack Vincent Borden | 45' | |
45' | Katlego Mashigo Kevin Jordan | |
9. Rob Manley | 53' | |
54' | 7. Ryan Flood | |
Darren Clarke Francely Lomboto | 64' | |
Stephen Walsh Steven Healy | 64' | |
Edward McCarthy Mikie Rowe | 71' | |
Regan Donelon Oisin O'Reilly | 71' | |
79' | 15. Kevin Jordan | |
83' | Filip Da Silva Max Johnston | |
83' | Keith Cowan Sean O'Kane | |
10. David Hurley | 89' |
Past Meetings
(Round 1)
1 - 2LOI Men's First Division
Finn Park Finn Harps FC 1-2 Galway United FC |
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
Eamonn Deacy Park |
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Eamonn Deacy Park, Dyke Road, Terryland, Menlough, Galway City, County Galway, Connacht, H91 ET6N, Ireland |
FULL TIME- All over!
Four minute added
Dave Hurley converts!
PENALTY TO GALWAY
Youngsters Max Johnston and Sean O'Kane on for Finn Harps in the closing stages
Evan O'Connor with some neat touches to cheer the crowd, Harps look exhausted
Double change from the league leaders- Mikie Rowe replaces McCarthy and Oisin O'Reilly on for Donelon
Borden almost finds Edward McCarthy but Harps survive, the home side pushing, steadily, for a sixth
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
Ryan Flood booked in more woe for the away side
Manley makes it five! Instinctive finish after a scuffle in the box
Borden, who bagged a brace against Finn Harps in Ballybofey, drives just wide!
Underway again! Change each as Vincent Borden in for McCormack while Kevin Jordan on for Mashigo for Harps
HALF TIME- Stunning from Galway, disaster for Finn Harps, 4-0 at the break
More slick Galway play creates a chance for Rob Manley but Heimer reacts quickly to save
Third yellow of the game as Brouder charges into da Silva
Damian Duffy on for Seamas Keogh as Harps are forced into an early change
McCormack in the book to John Caulfield and Ollie Horgan's disbelief...
Chance for five as Walsh gets on to Clarke's teasing cross but Tim Heimer gathers
Big save by home keeper Brendan Clarke, denying O'Donnell from close range, Harps' only chance so far!
4-0, another corner, another goal! Maurice Nugent heads in from another McCormack cross, Harps look shellshocked!
Ben McCormack floats a corner in and Walsh powers a header home, all too easy for Galway!
2-0 Galway! Brouder prods home after sumptuous play between Hurley and Clarke who lashes across goal for Brouder to tuck home!
Shaun O'Donnell finally collects Harps' first booking, scything down Stephen Walsh, another threatening home free
Feisty tackles aplenty early on as Galway win a free- Harps need to settle themselves
Darren Clarke lashes home a lovely half-volley after Regan Donelon's delightful left-footed cross, the leaders have started well!
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