Soccer

Ciaran Gallagher the hero as Harps hold Bohemians

Goalkeeper saves Anto Murphy’s 92nd-minute penalty in Ballybofey

Finn Harps goalkeeper Ciaran Gallagher saved a late penalty from Bohemians’ Anto Murphy. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho
Finn Harps goalkeeper Ciaran Gallagher saved a late penalty from Bohemians’ Anto Murphy. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho
Fri May 06 2016 - 22:55

Finn Harps 0 Bohemians 0

Bohemians stretched their unbeaten run against Finn Harps to 13 games following a drab encounter in Ballybofey that only exploded into life in stoppage time.

Bohs were awarded a 92nd-minute penalty but Harps goalkeeper Ciaran Gallagher emerged as the hero as he got down to make a smart save from Anto Murphy.

After a tepid start Harps had a real let off on 18 minutes when Paddy Kavanagh rounded Harps netminder Ciaran Gallagher only to be denied by the retreating Packie Mailey.

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Harps, who deployed Tony McNamee in attack in preference to David Scully alongside Ryan Curran, got little change from the Bohs defence in the first half.

The home side lost Gareth Harkin through injury shortly before the break, and he was replaced by the energetic Michael Funston, who recently played his 300th game for the club. He set up Damien McNulty to shoot wide of the target in the last move of a poor opening half.

First chance

Harps created the first chance in the second half with Adam Hanlon whipping over a decent cross but Ryan Curran’s header was capably dealt with by Dean Delaney.

A late free from Jake Kelly for Bohs was blocked while Harps mounted one late attack which the Dubliners cleared. Bohs then missed the chance to grab victory as Murphy’s 92nd minute penalty was saved.

Harps’ last victories over Bohs came during the 1998-99 season when they beat the Dublin side in each of their three meetings during that Premier Division campaign.

FINN HARPS: Gallagher; McNulty, Mailey, Cowan, Coll; Harkin (Funston 37 mins), Houston, Molloy, Hanlon (McHugh , 65 mins); McNamee (Scully, 87 mins),, Curran.

BOHEMIANS: Delaney; Pender, Prendergast, Mulcahy, Fitzgerald; D. Byrne; Kavanagh, Buckley (Murphy, 70 mins, Lopes, Mohamed (Kelly, 45 mins); Quigley (K. Byrne, 70 mins).

Referee: D McKeown (Dublin).