City frustrated at Finn Park

By Donncha Noonan | Photo: Kevin Barry Dorney

It was a long haul north for Cork City as they looked to keep up their recent run of wins against Finn Harps in Ballybofey. City welcomed back Cillian Murphy from international duty after the midfielder scored a hat-trick in a 7-0 win over Slovakia U17s. It would be a frustrating night for City though, as a low block from the hosts led to the game finishing scoreless.

Despite Murphy’s return, Barry Robson stuck with the same side who delivered an emphatic 4-1 victory last time out against Athlone.

Kevin McHugh made just the one change from their winning lineup in Longford, with Josh Cullen coming into the side to replace Adam McDaid.

It took twelve minutes for City to test the Harps defence for the first time. Seani Maguire picked up the ball in midfield and maneuvered through bodies before finding Darragh Crowley. He took a touch and let a shot fly from the edge of the box, a shot which Lorenzo Piaia had to get down to and parry away.

The best chance of the game went the way of the visitors in the twenty-ninth minute. A one-two in midfield between Seani Maguire and Greg Bolger allowed the latter to slip a ball through for Ruairi Keating. One-on-one with the keeper, Keating tried to guide it past Piaia, but his outstretched arm was enough to deny the striker.

Piaia was put to work again ten minutes later. Josh Fitzpatrick received the ball out on the right hand side. The winger danced past his man and cut inside, before unleashing a shot towards the top right corner, but Piaia did well to push the ball over the bar.

That was all the action in a first half where City created a couple chances, but overall the Harps low block did well to nullify the visitors’ threats.

City continued where they left off in the first half and had a huge chance four minutes in. Hans Mpongo fired a ball across goal that was half cleared by the Harps backline. It fell to Darragh Crowley who leathered a low shot towards goal, but a crucial touch from Joel Bradley-Walsh turned the ball around the post.

The hosts had their first big chance of the game in the fifty-second minute. Joel Bradley-Walsh floated an inviting free kick towards the back post, where Conor Tourish rose highest. The centre back managed to get his head on it, but his effort flew narrowly over the bar.

City went close yet again with ten minutes to play. Josh Fitzpatrick led an explosive City counter, bursting down the right hand side. He cut in and released a low shot, which whistled past the right hand post.

City’s last chance came in the ninety-first minute. AJ Bridge whipped in a corner that was cleared by Harps. Darragh Crowley lobbed the ball back into the box where it landed on the head of Seani Maguire. Maguire nodded the ball goalward, but it went into the arms of Lorenzo Piaia.

And with that the full-time whistle blew, bringing what was a frustrating night for City to an end. Credit has to go to Finn Harps, who put in an immense defensive display to shut out the City forward line for the whole game. That being said, it was a disappointing performance from City’s attack, not being able to break down Harps isn’t a particularly inspiring sign. Harps’ set-up will no doubt be used as a blueprint as to how to stop this CIty team, and it's something Barry Robson will no doubt look to sort out.

My Man of the Match goes to Finn Harps’ Josh Cullen. There were a couple of defenders for Harps to choose from, but I went with the youngster Cullen. He did a brilliant job to keep Hans Mpongo quiet as well as dealing well with the threats of Maguire and Keating. He hardly put a foot wrong all night, so to me he deserves the award.

It’s a quick turnaround this week with the Monday games. For City, they'll look to return to winning ways at the Cross as they host Kerry FC. As for Finn Harps, they’ll be wanting to extend their good run of form away to Bray.