HARPS DOWN THE SAINTS IN CUP SHOCK
UNDERDOGS Finn Harps shocked St Pat’s thanks to an early blunder that cost Saints their place in the Extra.ie FAI cup. History was made as this was the first time that these two sides have ever met in this competition outside of Dublin. When they last met in this tournament, Pat’s went on to win the cup, but this turned out to be a morale boosting firstround win for the Donegal side at Finn Park. Pat’s, having disposed of Harps on a 2-0 scoreline in the league on Friday, made a raft of changes to their line-u, as did Harps who started with veteran
Rafael Cretaro in attack. Harps got off to a dream start after a calamitous mix-up in the visitor’s defence as Rory Feely and new goalkeeper Conor Kearns totally misread a ball in from Karl O’Sullivan, and in nipped Ryan Connolly to guide it into an unguarded net with only four minutes on the clock. Then, after 11 minutes, Harps almost added a second when new signing Stephen Folan fired in a free that forced Conor Kearns to get down smartly at the expense of a corner. But, with Darragh Markey looking inventive in midfield, the Saints began to string together some decent moves as they opened Harps up. Martin Rennie had a shot from distance, and then a free which was spilled initially by Mark Anthony McGInley – before at the other end Cretaro whipped a cross in front of goal but nobody was on hand to connect. The home side began the second half on a positive note with Sam Todd and Dave Webster both going close. The Saints brought on the big guns, Robbie Benson, Chris Forrester and the exciting Georgie Kelly, but Harps continued to defend doggedly. Benson was soon in action, forcing McGinley into a nearpost save but Harps held on.
FINN HARPS: McGInley; Webster, Sadiki, Folan, Todd; R. Harkin (Coyle 78), Connolly (T. McNamee 87), Donnellan, Delap; O’Sullivan, Cretaro (Russell 68).
ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC: Kearns; Titov (Doona 78), Feely. McNally, Bermingham; Gibson, Ward (Benson 53), Lennon, Markey (Forrester 53), McClelland; Rennie (Kelly 53).
Referee: N. Doyle (Dublin).