Finn Harps 0-1 Shelbourne

Shels take 3 points from Donegal

The pragmatic Shels manager Dermot Keely, will have been pleased to have won all three points – the Reds first win at Finn Park in a good many years – despite performing poorly and exposing some vital frailties. Luckily, the struggling Finn Harps side were unable to capitalise on this, and apart from a lone shot in each half from Fergal Harkin, ‘keeper Steve Williams was never really troubled.

Keely’s team selection seemed to indicate his intent to play for a draw, with Tony McCarthy coming back from suspension but with his replacement Dave Campbell retaining a place. The travelling Red’s support expected to see 3 across the back, but Keeley continued to confound, instead opting to make Carel van der Velden the scapegoat, with Campbell slotting into up a defensive-looking midfield. Tommy Byrne, after his goal in United Park midweek, again got the nod ahead of Dessie Baker.

Playing on a heavy rain-sodden pitch – the game was almost called early Saturday morning, following a sustained torrential deluge – Shelbourne were the quicker to settle and after only 10 minutes Stephen Geoghegan ran onto a through ball just outside the box, and caught both his marker and Brian McKenna off-guard as he casually lifted the ball over the ‘keeper to give the Reds the lead. The game then rapidly deteriorated into an uneventful slog, with both sides seeming to lack either the will or the capability to put away the few scoring chances. Ritchie Baker was inches away from winning a penalty just before the break when he was upended on the edge of the box, but the resultant free kick was blasted way over the bar.

The second half saw the home side begin to make some headway in midfield, as the makeshift Shels formation struggled to retain possession, with neither of the Red’s static front two, Geogho or Haylock, offering any real threat. Garry Haylock was again a major disappointment, missing at least 2 ‘openers’ early in the second half – which even a hamstrung Red Bull would have scored ! Haylock’s upcoming suspension for the next 2 games will have saved Dermot Keely the trouble of dropping the apparent has-been. Johnny Powell was only brought on 5 minutes from the end and had little chance to impress.

Team :Williams; Heary , McCarthy, Scully, D Geoghegan; T Byrne ( Doolin 75 mins), Campbell, Fenlon, R Baker; S Geoghegan, Haylock (Powell 85 mins).

Comment : It was good to see Geogho back in the scoring frame again, but as he no longer has ‘the legs’, he needs a strong-running partner alongside him. Time is fast running out on Haylock – Red Bull overheard one supporter in Ballybofey refer to him as a ‘stockin of shite’ ! The jury is still out on Powell who displays a tendency to go it alone and doesn't link well with Ritchie. Dessie Baker as an ‘out and out’ striker (which many believe is his best and natural position) is one option, while young U/19 starlet Ben Kelly impressed when he played late last season and in the pre-season friendlies.

Red Bull '99