2 v 1 
Shamrock Rovers| 3' Aaron Greene | ||
| Babatunde Owolabi 14' | ||
| Jordan Mustoe 56' | 1-0 | |
1-1 | 71' Adam Foley | |
| Babatunde Owolabi 85' | 2-1 | |
| Will Seymore 92' | ||
| Jordan Mustoe 94' |
Details
| Date | Time | League | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 September 2021 | 8:00 pm | LOI Men's Premier Division | 2021 |
Match Report
Late Owolabi header hands Rovers first loss since June
A late Tunde Owolabi header, helped Finn Harps take all three points in a tough and tactical contest, at Finn Park in Ballybofey, as Finn Harps extend their unbeaten run, with a 2-1 win over Shamrock Rovers
Jordan Mustoe put his side ahead in the 56th minute, the left back coming up with miles of space, finishing well to wrong foot Alan Mannus. A sucker punch for the home side later in the half, as forward Adam Foley ended up putting a Dylan Watts cross past Mark McGinley, in the Harps goal. But it was Owolabi who proved the difference again
The Donegal side looked the stronger of the two sides, Shamrock Rovers suffering their first league loss, since defeat to rivals Bohemians, a run that stretches six games. A big three points for The Harps, it sees them remain in seventh place, but stay three ahead of Waterford.
It was a tight game, where both defences became crucial for their sides safety, the opening chance for the home side, Adam Foley getting in behind the defence, as he tried to chip the on rushing Alan Mannus, but he could not loft the ball over the keeper.
It took until the 35th minute of the half, for The Hoops to register a chance, Dylan Watts on the end of some great link up play, but his shot failed to hit the target.
The second half was a lot more open, as both sides started to tire, Jordan Mustoe grabbing the opener, as Harps stretched the Rovers defence, the left back came up and was on hand to finish, as Ryan Rainey played the defender in.
It remained all Harps until the visitors managed to get the leveller, after some great play in the build up, Dylan Watts played a dangerous ball into the box, the ball met by Adam Foley, but the forward inadvertently put the ball into his own net.
With the game tied at 1-1, both sides were looking to get the all important winner, it was Owolabi again, getting the winner for Finn Harps, the forward in the area to head home as Karl O’Sullivan cross, as the Donegal side go four games unbeaten in the league.
Timeline
| 3' | 9. Aaron Greene | |
| 7. Babatunde Owolabi | 14' | |
| 3. Jordan Mustoe | 56' | |
| 70' | Max Murphy Aidomo Emakhu |
|
| 11. Adam Foley | 71' | |
| Adam Foley Karl O'Sullivan |
72' | |
| 7. Babatunde Owolabi | 85' | |
| Ryan Rainey Ryan Connolly |
89' | |
| Babatunde Owolabi Sean Boyd |
91' | |
| 28. Will Seymore | 92' | |
| 3. Jordan Mustoe | 94' |
Past Meetings
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.
Mustoe picks up a card for a late tackle
Will Seymore sees a yellow card for a professional foul
Sean Boyd replaces Tunde Owolabi
OWOLABI DOES IT AGAIN FOR HARPS
Ryan Connolly comes in late for Finn Harps, replacing Ryan Rainey
First change for Rovers, Max Murphy is replaced by Aidomo Emakhu
Karl O'Sullivan comes in for Adam Foley
Rovers draw level, and it looks to be Adam Foley who gets a touch and it goes into his own goal
What a beautiful team goal by Finn Harps, Ryan Rainey picks out Mustoe in space and he makes no mistake catching Mannus off guard
Half time in Donegal, a very tight tactical game here, both sides have had chances but the defensive work rate has been much higher for both sides
Tight game here in Donegal, both sides are strong in defence, Rovers have had their best chance so far, they have looked dangerous, after a great passage of play, Dylan Watts does well but his effort is wide
Owolabi picks up a booking for a coming together in the Rovers area
Early chance for the home side, Adam Foley gets in behind the defence and tries to chip the on rushing Alan Mannus but he cant loft the ball over the keeper
Early yellow card for Aaron Greene, he gets booked after arguing with the referee about the inflation of one of the footballs
Rovers are looking to extend the gap at the top tonight, while unbeaten in their last five games, Harps will not make it easy for them tonight, similar to how they played in the 3-1 win over St Pats, sure to be an interesting contest, as conditions are great this evening for a game
Shamrock Rovers have handed a debut to Barry Cotter tonight, he looks to be at the heart of defence, interesting look at the Rovers team graphic, shows Max Murphy and Aaron Greene operate at wing backs, while Rory Gaffney is tasked with getting goals up top
Looking at the team news from the hosts, they make three changes from their last outing, McGinley, Sadiki and Seymore come in for Doherty, Dunleavy and Boyle.
You are very welcome to Finn Park, in Donegal, for tonights meeting of Finn Harps and Shamrock Rovers in tonights SSE Airtricity League tie which kicks off at 8pm, my name is Diarmuid Kearney and I will bring you live updates of the action tonight