Match Report: City 1-0 Finn Harps

Cork City maintained their fifteen-point lead at the top of the First Division table on Friday night as they kept their fifteenth clean sheet of the season.

Cathal O’Sullivan’s second-half strike was all the Rebel Army needed to see off the Donegal outfit in the first of the two clashes between the sides in nine days.

City’s side contained just two changes from their 3–1 victory over Wexford FC the previous week, with Conor Drinan featuring in the lineup replacing Arran Healy, and fan-favourite Jack Doherty returned to the starting eleven replacing Cian Murphy.

Cork City FC Academy player Matthew Kiernan was also named on the bench after only his second time in the matchday squad last week against Wexford — his first since his start against Kerry in the season opener.

Harps manager Darren Murphy made four changes from their narrow victory over Kerry last Thursday, with Connor Tourish returning to the defence in place of Noe Baba, and Stephen Doherty, Aaron McLaughlin and experienced midfielder David Cawley all handed starts.

Finn Harps capitalised on a mistake from Evan McLaughlin to have an early chance on goal, but Tony McNemee’s strike didn’t possess much quality and rolled wide.

Harps impressed early on and were on top in the opening stages, displayed as Connor Tourish dispossessed Malik Dijksteel in midfield and drove forward with a shot, but it flew right of the post and into the stands.

City put the Harps defence to the test for the first time after fifteen minutes, with Evan McLaughlin dribbling past Harps fullback Jamie Watson and delivering a brilliant low cross into the box, but it was defended well and intercepted by a Harps man.

City fans and players alike were shocked at the referee’s decision just on twenty minutes, as Evan McLaughlin beat his man yet again and was through in a threatening position before being dragged down in the box, but the referee handed Harps a free-kick and McLaughlin a yellow card for diving.

Harps danger man Sean Patton hit the post just after half an hour, as he met Connor Tourish’s cross, but Patton’s connection was heavily deflected off Greg Bolger, which then hit the post and went wide.

The sides entered the break with neither team rattling the net, City were having major difficulties breaking down the solid Harps defence as they registered just one shot during the half — an ambitious attempt from Jack Doherty after thirty-five minutes that landed closer to the scoreboard then it did to the goal.

Cian Coleman came close for City in the 48th minute, as Evan McLaughlin’s free kick delivery on the right wing found Coleman at the far post, his header landing harmlessly into the arms of Harps goalkeeper Heimer.

Just on the hour mark City marched into the lead, as a moment of magic from Cathal O’Sullivan saw him dribble through the Harps midfield and lash a powerful shot from his left foot and into the net in the Shed End, sending the crowd into raptures.

O’Sullivan’s goal now ties him level with McLaughlin as City’s second highest goalscorer this season.

O’Sullivan nearly set up a second just moments after, as he met the end of a long ball and spun around his marker, passing inside to Conor Drinan, but nothing came of the chance.

Brad Wade then made a vital save to keep City in the lead, getting in front of Gavin Gilmore’s close-range effort from a cross.

Other then a narrow miss from Evan McLaughlin’s shot, City weren’t a threat to the Harps backline for the remainder of the second half and chose to sit back and defend their lead.

The referee’s whistle brought to a close what was a tight contest, and despite late pressure from Finn Harps, City held out to collect the three points.

City’s next fixture comes on Wednesday as Stoke City are welcomed to Turners Cross for a friendly, with kickoff at 19:45.

The next competitive outing though comes against Finn Harps again on Saturday 20th of July, in Round 2 of the FAI Cup.