Finn Harps brushed aside the challenge of first division opponents Home Farm Fingal in Ballybofey last night to book their place in the last 16 of this year's FAI Cup. With both teams struggling in the league this was never going to be a classic and so it proved. After a bright opening, the home side lost their way and it took a roasting at half-time from player/boss Gavin Dykes to finally spur them into action.
The opening goal arrived on 54 minutes when leading scorer James Mulligan latched onto a Fergal Harkin flick to slot a right-foot shot beyond Paul Whelan. Mick Lawlor's young team, without a number of its more experienced players, did manage to force Brian McKenna into action on 72 minutes, but Cathal O'Connor's volley was brilliantly blocked by the Harps goalkeeper.
Harps booked a visit to first division leaders Longford Town in injury time when assistant manager Jonathan Speak netted from 12 yards.
FINN HARPS: McKenna, J P Boyle, Minnock, D Boyle, Dykes, Tierney, Mohan, McGrenaghan, Mulligan, McHugh, Harkan, Subs: Speak for McHugh (59 mins).
HOME FARM FINGAL: Whelan, Malone, O'Brien, McAuley, Fromont, Plaice, GIll, O'Connor, Farrell, Foran, Duggan. Subs: King for Gill (76 mins); Byrne for O'Brien (90 mins); Caffrey for Fromont (90 mins).
Referee: P Whelan (Dublin).
The FAI appeals committee has overturned last week's ruling by the association's protests committee that the FAI Cup second-round match between Fairview Rangers and College Corinthians be declared null and void. It has now been rescheduled for Corinthian Park this Sunday afternoon.
