Soccer

Longford fail to take advantage of 10-man Harps

Ciarán Gallagher holds firm in second-half as tie goes back to Ballybofey

Damien McNulty of Finn Harps was sent off against Longford Town in the 20th minute of the second round FAI Cup tie at City Calling Stadium. Photograph: Inpho.
Damien McNulty of Finn Harps was sent off against Longford Town in the 20th minute of the second round FAI Cup tie at City Calling Stadium. Photograph: Inpho.
Fri May 29 2015 - 22:40

Longford Town 1 (Rice 42)
Finn Harps 1 (Harkin 22)

Despite playing for over 70 minutes with 10 men, First Division leaders Finn Harps dug in tenaciously to bring Longford back to Ballybofey for a replay on Monday night.

The Donegal side also had manager Ollie Horgan sent to the stand in time added on at the finish.Harps had Damien McNulty shown a straight red card on 19 minutes for a tackle on Kalem Simon.

Three minutes later, though, they were ahead. Tony McNamee put Gareth Harkin through in the inside-left channel and the striker finished emphatically, planting a crisp half-volley to the roof of the net.

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Harps goalkeeper Ciarán Gallagher made a fine save from a Kevin O’Connor shot while Longford had a big shout for a penalty denied them when Harkin looked to have handled inside the area.

The Longford pressure told on 42 minutes, however. Harps failed to clear an Ayman Ben Mohamed corner and Stephen Rice stabbed home from six yards.

Longford dominated the second half, twice hitting the woodwork, but couldn’t find a way past Gallagher. David O’Sullivan’s cross was tipped onto the bar by Gallagher.

Rattled the crossbar

O’Connor then rattled the crossbar with a 25-yard shot on 72 minutes.

Then, two minutes into added time, Gallagher made a terrific reaction save from O'Connor's deflected shot before Harps' boss Horgan was then sent to the stand for disputing a booking for Ciarán Coll.

LONGFORD TOWN: Skinner; Sullivan, Gorman, Rossiter, Deady (Powell, 65); Salmon (O'Sullivan, 65), O'Connor, Rice, Ben Mohamed; Simon (Shannon, 82), Shaw.
FINN HARPS: Gallagher; Cowan, P Mailey (Crossan, 86), McMonaghle; McNulty, Funston, McNamee, Foy (J Mailey, 73) Coll; McHugh (Friel, 79), Harkin.
Referee: Rob Rogers (Dublin).