Goals from Billy King and Mattie Smith consolidated St Patrick's Athletic’s top spot in the Airtricity League Premier Division this evening.
Finn Harps weren’t their usual selves and although fatigue may have played a part, that shouldn’t detract from the quality shown by Stephen O’Donnell’s team, who have yet to taste defeat this season.
O’Donnell and his team went down 3-2 at Finn Park on this last visit last October. This evening couldn’t have been more different as they cruised to the three points.
Both goals were splendidly taken. King, on the half-hour, picked up possession from Ronan Coughlan and sidestepped three Harps players in close proximity, before smashing past Mark Anthony McGinley from 18 yards for the opening goal.
Dave Webster and then substitute Sean Boyd tested Vitezslav Jaros early in the second half before Smith headed home a second for St Patrick's Athletic on 61 minutes when Coughlan dinked back a cross from the byline.
A surprise first inclusion for the home side was Ballybofey native Johnny Dunleavy, the former Cork City captain, who signed for the club earlier in the week.
Midway through the first half, an enterprising Harps break saw Barry McNamee centre to Karl O’Sullivan and although his first touch was good to create the chance, he couldn’t keep his effort down.
Full highlights from Finn Park as St Pat's come away with a very good three points #RTEsoccer pic.twitter.com/WztoeUoB4v
— Soccer Republic (@SoccRepublic) April 23, 2021
At the other end, John Mountney’s daisycutter from a cross from Ian Bermingham was inches wide of McGinley’s post.
In the second half, Sam Bone had a go for goal in a packed penalty area and saw his shot blocked as his teammates squealed to handball. Rob Harvey waved play on.
Ollie Horgan, the Harps manager, made a triple change on 58 minutes in a bid to spark some life into his team with Sean Boyd, top-scorer Adam Foley and Stephen Doherty introduced.
However, that merely acted as the prelude to Smith’s second and even though there were the guts of half an hour to play, the points were already on their way back to Dublin.
Finn Harps: Mark Anthony McGinley; Dave Webster, Kosovar Sadiki (Tony McNamee 74), Stephen Folan, Johnny Dunleavy (RyanRainey 67); Mark Coyle, Will Seymore; Karl O’Sullivan (Sean Boyd 58), Barry McNamee, Mark Russell (Stephen Doherty 58), Ryan Shanley (Adam Foley 58).
St Patrick’s Athletic: Vitezslav Jaros; Sam Bone, Paddy Barrett, Lee Desmond; John Mountney, Chris Forrester, Jamie Lennon, Ian Bermingham (Shane Griffin 84); Billy King, (Ben McCormack 84); Ronan Coughlan (Alfie Lewis 70), Matty Smith.
Referee: Rob Harvey.
