Finn Harps 0 - 2 Waterford United

Waterford United moved up to second in the Airtricity League First Division with a 2-0 win over Finn Harps in Ballybofey.

The three points from the lengthy road trip means that the side managed by Tommy Griffin are now three points ahead of stuttering Longford Town, who have a game in hand against Salthill Devon on Saturday evening.

The Ballybofey club really required a win to keep their faint play-off hopes flickering but now have only an FAI Cup third round tie this coming Friday to maintain an interest in the campaign.

Ben Ryan scored an excellent opening goal on 25 minutes when he dived to glance Vinny Sullivan’s fine cross past Ciaran Gallagher in the Harps goal. Conor Meade then added a second goal on 51 from the penalty spot to seal the win.

And although Harps rallied in a vain attempt to keep their league season afloat, the scars of failing to win in seven successive matches over the summer period will be the red mark circled by manager Peter Hutton on the calendar when he reviews the campaign. That seven-match run saw Harps fail to beat every other team in the division.
 

Harps opened optimistically with three testers for Craig Hyland in the Waterford goal, with Michael Funston’s shot into the goalkeeper’s chest the closest of the trio.
 

However, Waterford, eight points ahead of their hosts in the standings before kick-off, almost took the lead when Ryan’s belter from 30 yards flew just over Ciaran Gallagher’s crossbar on 14 minutes.

Then, moments later, Ryan’s corner was flashed wide by the head of the unmarked Danny Furlong, who really should’ve scored. Referee Rob Harvey really shouldn’t have awarded a corner after the touch was clearly off the Waterford midfielder.
 

After the goal, Harps pushed for an instant reprieve but it was again Furlong who came the closest to scoring as the half bore to a conclusion. This time, his effort was brilliantly improvised, volleying just wide from a ball that came over his shoulder from Sullivan.
 

But despite that, Waterford were still content to go in just the one up after a glaring missed opportunity from Paul McVeigh. Using a sense of purpose, the Harps front man enthusiastically disposed Conor Whittle on the Waterford by-line and although the goal seemed to grow larger as McVeigh made an angle for himself, his shot was inches over Hyland’s crossbar.

An unmarked Kevin McHugh was waiting for a square ball but would’ve considered there would’ve been no chance at all had it not been for the willingness and industry of his strike partner McVeigh.
 

Waterford doubled their advantage six minutes into the second half when Meade outfoxed Thomas McMonagle to win a the clear-cut penalty. The former Cork City striker rolled past Gallagher, who dived the wrong way.
 

Harps’ new American signing Pat McCann brought a top drawer save from Hyland moments later with a shot that was destined for the top corner. Hyland then made a smart save down low from a deflected Kevin McHugh shot and the Waterford netminder saved for as many times in as many minutes when Funston drove through a crowded penalty area.

Dylan Mernagh then made a dramatic goal-saving challenge to deny Lee Toland a certain goal on 62 minutes as the ball broke to the Harps winger just outside the six-yard box. McMonagle then saw a header fall just wide.
 

But for all the half chances, it was Kevin O’Connor from the visitors that came closest to a third when he drew an instinctive save from Gallagher in stoppage time.

Harps were clapped off by the majority of the 535 crowd for a spirited effort. They concluded as if their season depended on it – because their season did depend on it. But the form guide proved to be right as Waterford had that little bit of class to see them home. Their term is far from over.

 

Finn Harps: Ciaran Gallagher; James Doherty, Thomas McMonagle, Keith Cowan, Ciaran Coll; Michael Funston (Shane Buchanan 84), Shaun McGowan, Pat McCann (Johnny Bonner 72), Lee Toland (Matthew Harkin 78); Paul McVeigh, Kevin McHugh.
Subs not used: Thomas Bonner, Michael Doherty, Josh Mailey, Marty Owens.

Booked: J Doherty (44), McMonagle (50), Gallagher (51).

 

Waterford United: Craig Hyland; Conor Whittle, Gavin Kavanagh, Paddy Barrett, Dylan Mernagh; Vinny Sullivan, Ben Ryan, Kevin O'Connor, Philip Drogan (Francis Rockett 66); Conor Meade (Peter Higgins 84), Danny Furlong (Paul Quilty 76).
Subs not used: Chip Sanders, John Frost, Rob McLarney, Marco Chindea.

Booked: Ryan (24), Barrett (45), Sullivan (82), Hyland (89), Kavanagh (89).

 

Referee: Rob Harvey.

Attendance: 535

Man of the match: Vinny Sullivan (Waterford United).