St Patrick's Athletic came from behind to win in Stephen O'Donnell's first game in charge of the Richmond Park side. Trailing 1-0 at the interval after a Nathan Boyle goal on the half hour, goals in the second half via Darragh Markey and substitute
St Patrick's Athletic came from behind to win in Stephen O'Donnell's first game in charge of the Richmond Park side. Trailing 1-0 at the interval after a Nathan Boyle goal on the half hour, goals in the second half via Darragh Markey and substitute Rhys McCabe boosted their hopes of finishing in a European spot. Finn Harps meanwhile, sit six points clear of UCD, with a superior goal difference. In this Special Edition of Finn Harps v St Patrick's Athletic, Finn Park played host to two big occasions. Finn Harps played their 50th anniversary game, their first ever game was against a fellow Dublin outfit, Shamrock Rovers, who won 10-2 on the 17th of August 1969. The second milestone of the match was one belonging to Stephen O'Donnell as he took charge of St. Pat's for the first time. It was his side who started sharply as Glen McAuley fired just over inside 30 seconds. Ollie Horgan's team eased into the encounter and had a good spell approaching the 20 minute mark, testing the away defence with a number of corners and set-pieces. The hosts suffered a brief scare close to the half hour stage as Jacob Borg, who was attempting to clear his lines, lost the ball to McAuley, who ran at goal from a tight angle before attempting to squeeze the ball in but the angle was against him as McGinley cleared. On the half-hour mark, Harps took the lead. Niall Logue launched in a long throw-in from the right side, it was hit high in the sky and a number of bodies looked to gain control, it hit the head of one of three players jumping and landed at the feet of Nathan Boyle who prodded home for his fifth goal of the season. Five minutes later and the evening could have been even worse for the visitors. A backpass by Dave Webster triggered a race between Boyle and Brendan Clarke, the former won that race and was upended by the shot stopper, the home support cried out for a red card but only a yellow was issued as Harps took their 1-0 lead into the break. The question was asked around Finn Park at half time, Could Harps hold onto their lead? And ten minutes after the restart, we got our answer. After a heavy spell of pressure, a low cross by Dean Clarke was met by Darragh Markey, his initial effort was saved but their was nothing the home defence could do to stop the follow up as St Pat's drew level. With a little over 20 minutes to go, a substitute fired St Pat's in front. Gareth Harkin was attempting to pass his way out of defence but gifted the ball to Rhys McCabe, who took a touch before passing the ball into the bottom left corner past the outstretching McGinley. Harps pushed late in the game for a leveller of their own and came close in stoppage time but a turning shot by Dan O'Reilly brushed the side netting. The win is St Pat's third league win on the trot, while it also ends Harps' impressive run at home, their first defeat at Finn Park since the 8th of June.
