2 v 3 
Finn HarpsDetails
| Date | Time | League | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 June 2023 | 7:45 pm | LOI Men's First Division | 2023 |
Match Report
Harps strike late to win five-goal thriller
Substitute Damien Duffy was the hero as Harps came from behind to defeat Longford Town at Bishopsgate.
Duffy was only on the pitch seven minutes when he fired home from close range. Town had taken the lead in the 35th minute through Cristian Magerusan. Harps drew level on 54 minutes through Sean O’Donnell and went in front minutes later. Town were back on level terms in the 74th minute but Duffy secured the win for Harps with the goal in the 80th minute.
The home side had the best of the early chances. In the fifth minute James Doona hit a neat strike that Tim Heimer tipped over the bar. From the corner taken by Doona Aaron Walsh’s effort came off the crossbar.
In the ninth minute Magerusan directed his header wide. Harps had started slowly but began to come into the game. They had possession but didn’t create too much to trouble Town keeper Jack Brady. In the 27th minute Daithi McCallion headed the ball down to O’Donnell but he blasted over.
Town broke the deadlock in the 35th minute. Keith Cowan won possession but Beineon O’Brien Whitmarsh picked up the loose ball, he played it to Magerusan who turned and fired low to the net.
In the space of three minutes Harps scored two goals. They were on level terms in the 54th minute when a long ball out of defence from Shane McMonagle was flicked by Kevin Jordan into the path of Sean O’Donnell and he made no mistake.
Minutes later a terrific free from Ryan Flood put Harps in front. Town weren’t happy. The referee Robert Dowling had let play continue after a foul. Town’s Aaron Walsh was fouled but the referee went back and awarded a free to Harps.
The home side were back on level terms in the 74th minute; O’Brien Whitmarsh played a one two with Magerusan before placing the ball past Tim Heimer.
Substitute Duffy was only on the pitch a few minutes when he scored his first goal for the club. O’Donnell got past Ciaran Hodanu and passed to Duffy and he found the back of the net from close range. Town sub Jamal Ibrahim had appeared to have been fouled in the lead-up to Harps goal.
Timeline
| 12' | 15. Kevin Jordan | |
| 9. Cristian Magerusan | 35' | |
| Aaron Walsh | 43' | |
| 50' | Keith Cowan | |
| 54' | 20. Sean O'Donnell | |
| 24. Cian Byrne | 57' | |
| 58' | 7. Ryan Flood | |
| James Doona Jamal Ibrahim | 61' | |
| 8. Viktor Serdeniuk | 62' | |
| Aaron Walsh Adam Verdon | 65' | |
| 73' | Michael Harris Damian Duffy | |
| 7. Beineon O'Brien Whitmarsh | 74' | |
| 80' | 21. Damian Duffy |
Past Meetings
|
(Round 11)
1 - 1LOI Men's First Division
Finn Park Finn Harps FC 1-1 Longford Town FC |
|
(Round 5)
0 - 1LOI Men's First Division
Bishopsgate, Longford Longford Town FC 0-1 Finn Harps FC |
|
(Series 36)
5 - 0LOI Men's Premier Division
Finn Park Finn Harps v Longford Town |
|
(Series 24)
0 - 3LOI Men's Premier Division
Bishopsgate, Longford Longford Town v Finn Harps |
|
(Series 18)
1 - 1LOI Men's Premier Division
Finn Park Finn Harps v Longford Town |
|
(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
| Bishopsgate, Longford |
|---|
| City Calling Stadium, L50021, Mullolagher, Cloondara ED, Longford Municipal District, County Longford, Leinster, Ireland |
Deniese O'Flaherty
Deniese is a freelance sports journalist/broadcaster. She has worked for several local and national media outlets. GAA and soccer are her great loves and she also follows rugby league and snooker. She's a big supporter of her local clubs St. Mary's GAA Granard and Longford Town. She also follows Celtic, Liverpool and Leeds Rhinos. She presented and produced a popular sports podcast last year where she interviewed Ray Houghton, Chris Kamara and John Hartson. Deniese is currently Head of Communications for Boccia Ireland
Damien Duffy puts Harps back in front. Sean O'Donnell got by Ciaran Hodanu too easy, he set up sub Duffy and he shot past Jack Brady
Cristian Magerusan turns provider for Beineon O'Brien Whitmarsh and he fires to the net
Michael Harris
Damien Duff
Aaron Walsh is off
Adam Verdon
James Doona is off. You can see stud marks on his leg.
Jamal Ibrahim is on
Town weren't happy with that free. The referee played advantage and Sean O'Donnell appeared to have fouled Aaron Walsh. The referee brought the ball back for a free to Harps
A stunning free kick from Ryan Flood puts the visitors ahead
Sean O'Donnell draws Harps level. A long ball out of defence from Shane McMonagle was flicked into the path of O'Donnell by Kevin Jordan and he made no mistake.
Keith Cowan is booked
Aaron Walsh is booked
Keith Cowan won possession but Beineon O’Brien Whitmarsh picked up the loose ball, he played it to Magerusan who turned and fired low to the net.
Cristian Magerusan with the goal. Nice low finish to the net.
Free to Harps in a dangerous position
Sean O'Donnell blasted well over. Daithi McCallion had headed it down to him from a Ryan Flood corner
Ball falls nicely to Aodh Dervin but his strike is way off
Ball falls nicely to Aodh Dervin but his strike is way off
It has taken them a while but Harps have settled into this game.
Corner comes to nothing
A free from Ryan Flood eluded everyone. It eventually was put out for a corner
Kevin Jordan is booked
Some lovely passages of play from the Town here.
A terrific ball from Ciaran Hodanu and Cristian Magerusan's header is just wide.
Aaron Walsh's effort comes off the crossbar after Doona's corner
James Doona with a neat strike that Tim Heimer tips over the bar.
Team news Town have two suspended for this game as well as manager Stephen Henderson. Aodh Dervin is back from suspension
The two sides have met twice this season already. The first game here ended in a 1-0 win for Harps and the game in Finn Park finished 1-1.
It's 8th versus 9th. Town are just ahead of Harps on goal difference
Good evening and welcome to Bishopsgate for Longford Town v Finn Harps