Keating returns to haunt Harps in shoot-out as Gallagher delivers a reminder

FORMER FINN HARPS player Ruairi Keating struck the decisive penalty as Galway United edged Harps out of the EA Sports Cup at Eamonn Deacy Park tonight.

Galway United 0 Finn Harps 0

After extra time, Galway United win 4-2 on penaties

Keating netted the final penalty of a shoot-out that saw the Tribesmen edge Harps after Ollie Horgan’s much-changed outfit had battled to a nil-all draw with the returned Ciaran Gallagher putting on a starring performance.

Gallagher hadn’t played since the opening night of the season when Harps overcame Derry City 2-1 at Finn Park.

The Raphoe man – who kept 19 clean sheets last season as Harps won promotion from the First Division – lost his place to Richard Brush having been forced to sit out the game against Dundalk because of work commitments.

However, Gallagher delivered a real reminder of his talents tonight with a string of vital saves to earn Harps the shoot-out.

While Gallagher saved from Vinny Faherty, it was the Galway goalkeeper, Kevin Horgan, who was the hero for the home side, saving from Ryan Curran and Ethan Boyle.

In the case of Curran, it was a first ever penalty miss for the Derryman.

Stephen Folan, Ryan Connolly, Padraic Cunningham and Keating all scored for Galway and it was they who went through at the expense of Harps who had successful efforts from Tony McNamee and Matthew Crossan.

Keating scored eleven goals in two half-season loans at Finn Park, six in 2014 and five in 2015 before signing for Galway from Sligo Rovers this season and it was he who came back to haunt his former club with the winning penalty.

The Harps team showed a whopping ten changes from the side that overcame Bray Wanderers in the League on Friday night, with centre-back Keith Cowan the only survivor.

Ollie Horgan also gave a rare start to striker Michael Rafter, who played the first half of Harps’ previous round win over Cockhill Celtic.

Galway threatened inside the opening minute as left-back Marc Ludden launched a throw-in into the Harps box, but Cunningham fired over from close range.

Cunningham went close again when Gallagher denied him from a header after a Gary Shanahan cross before Eric Foley curled wide from a free kick.

Galway themselves posted a raft of switches with seven changes from Friday’s 2-2 draw with Cork City, but they were on top and Keating hit the bar before being thwarted by the in-form Gallagher.

Harps carved out two good opening either end of half time, but Thomas McMonagle had a header saved by Kevin Horgan with Ryan McConnell flashing wide just after the re-start.

Kevin McHugh threatened for Harps on the hour, but his attempt was saved by Horgan, while Rafter shot over after a promising break, although the second half story was all about Gallagher keeping Galway at bay.

Twice he denied Cunningham, who looked set to put the home side in front, while the in-form stopper denied Shanahan with a one-handed save as Tommy Dunne’s Galway turned the screw.

Gallagher made himself big in a one-on-one with sub Faherty two minutes from the end to make another brave intervention that kept Harps’ hopes alive.

Ten days ago, Faherty scored the only goal of the game when Galway had the measure of Harps for a 1-0 win in the League at the same venue, but the striker found Gallagher a tough nut to crack and was denied again by the Harps ‘keeper close to half-time in extra-time.

Harps played the second half of extra time with just ten men after Cowan had to go off with an injury, Harps already having used their full compliment of subs and Horgan will hope for a quick recover ahead of Friday night’s League outing against Cork City at Turner’s Cross.

Galway United: Kevin Horgan; Cormac Rafferty, Paul Sinnott, Stephen Folan, Marc Ludden; Gary Shanahan, Eric Foley (Killian Cantwell 103), Alex Byrne (Ryan Connolly 84), Conor Melody (Vinny Faherty 71); Ruairi Keating, Padraic Cunningham.

Finn Harps: Ciaran Gallagher; Ryan McConnell, Keith Cowan, Thomas McMonagle, Matthew Crossan; Ethan Boyle, Michael Funston (Ryan Curran 57), Raymond Foy, Liam Flatley; Michael Rafter (Tony McNamee 65), Kevin McHugh (Gareth Harkin 84).

Referee: Rob Hennessey.