Finn Harps registered their first points of the season with a well earned home draw against Dundalk who have two points from their opening matches. Harps took points off Dundalk for the first time in over a decade as Keith Cowan put Harps in front
Finn Harps registered their first points of the season with a well earned home draw against Dundalk who have two points from their opening matches.
Harps took points off Dundalk for the first time in over a decade as Keith Cowan put Harps in front before the break.
Brian Gartland got the leveller midway through the second half and applied late pressure but the hosts held on.
The game got off to a bright start, with the hosts setting off with a game plan that was working a treat. After a number of corners for both sides, Harps possession in the game dwindled away as Dundalk pressed again and again.
Michael Duffy and Sean Murray witnessed half chances float into the gloves of Peter Burke while Dean Jarvis also saw an effort saved. Dundalk continued to pressure the home side and the strong crowd at Finn Park was almost witness to a very early contender for goal of the season.
Murray laid the ball up well for Patrick Hoban who was lurking close to the penalty spot, he went for the acrobatic effort but his spectacular chance whizzed passed the post. Dane Massey was next to test his luck, a free kick from approximately 25 yards which had Burke beaten but it thundered off the crossbar.
Then five minutes shy of half-time, the hosts took the lead, somewhat against the run of play. A corner from the left was lofted in well by Raff Cretaro and Keith Cowan rose high in the centre to power home a header as the Donegal Outfit went into the break ahead.
The second half started in a similar style to the first and Finn Harps fashioned the first concrete effort, with Cretaro shooting on the edge of the area, but Rogers was equal to it.
Dundalk resumed their pressure but had a tough defence blocking their path. A mix up in defence almost allowed the visitors a free shot at goal after Burke collided with his own defender but John Mountney couldn't capitalise as Harps cleared.
Finn Harps were determined to get something out of the game but their potential three points turned to one after Dundalk equalised. The second goal of the game from a corner, this one whipped in by Duffy on the right side, was well met by Brian Gartland, with his header giving Burke no chance.
The game saw a number of chances for both sides as the game edged ever closer to its conclusion. Murray with the best of the bunch for his side, after a Gartland header fell to his feet on the right side, but only fired across goal.
Niall McGinley was the unlucky party for Finn Harps after he saw his effort saved after racing onto an excellent pass from O'Reilly. There was a bit of unpleasantries after the final whistle but Finn Harps will certainly be treasuring this result.
