Finn Harps 0-1 Shamrock Rovers
Shamrock Rovers maintained their 100% start to the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division season with a single goal win over spirited Finn Harps in Ballybofey.
Gary McCabe scored the only goal of the contest when he steered a 70th-minute penalty perfectly into the top corner after Richard Brush - the Finn Harps goalkeeper - had fouled Danny North, who won the race to Gary Shaw’s angled header.
The award rankled the home support who felt that Simon Madden had been given a chance too many by match referee Neil Doyle following a first-half yellow card.
However, Pat Fenlon, the Rovers manager, can point to the fact that his goalkeeper Barry Murphy was never overly tested.
Although the hosts had a penalty shout themselves in the 95th minute when substitute Michael Funston ran into Maxime Blancard, the Tallaght side had merited their slender win to make it three from three this season.
The visitors created the better of the first-half chances as Harps hung in. Brandon Miele and Michael Drennan in particular, were in the thick of the action.
Miele, after 10 minutes, got around the outside of Damien McNulty and having taken a step inside, pulled back perfectly to Drennan, who really ought to have done better from 12 yards as he missed the target.
That, essentially, was a soundbite of the first half.
Rovers had a level of inventiveness and cutting edge about them, while on the other hand Harps battled gamely to keep themselves in contention. Ryan Curran, their sole striker, was lonely on occasion for the spirited side.
In the 21st minute, Adam Hanlon’s defensive header clear was weak and Drennan’s shot was saved by former Shamrock Rovers goalkeeper Brush, with Miele’s rebounded shot blocked by Packie Mailey.
Ollie Horgan’s Harps had opened the season with a spring in their step with only their second ever league victory over rivals Derry City, only to be taken back to earth with a considerable bump when they went down 3-0 against Dundalk at Oriel Park on Friday night.
Those types of reversals would have perhaps been occasionally expected for the newly promoted sides but even on tonight’s evidence, nobody will leave Finn Park with anything on a plate.
In the second half, it had the complexion of an encounter that would be decided by something spectacular or something silly.
McCabe had an audacious effort after 57 minutes when he pinched possession from Gareth Harkin in midfield and chipped Brush - who scampered back with increasing pace - only to see the ball nestled on the roof of the net.
The midfielder's goal, when it did come, was rather more conventional - the excellently placed penalty was what it came down to in the end.
Finn Harps: Richard Brush; Damien McNulty, Keith Cowan, Packie Mailey, Ethan Boyle (Liam Flatley 83); Adam Hanlon, Raymond Foy (Kevin McHugh 72), Gareth Harkin, Dave Scully; Tony McNamee (Michael Funston 80), Ryan Curran.
Shamrock Rovers: Barry Murphy; Simon Madden, Maxime Blancard, David O’Connor, Gavin Brennan; Michael Drennan, Gary McCabe, Killian Brennan (Pat Cregg 66), Brandon Miele; Gary Shaw, Danny North (Gareth McCaffrey 90+2).
Referee: Neil Doyle.
