Finn Harps go into the mid-season break two points clear of the relegation zone following a scoreless draw against Sligo Rovers at the Showgrounds.
Sligo Rovers 0 Finn Harps 0
It was a game, although hard-fought throughout, that was devoid of chances for the most part, with just three shots on target over the 90 minutes in front of a crowd of 1,876.
It was a landmark night of Harps in the Yeats County as the derby marked the club’s 1400th game in League football since their entry into the League of Ireland in 1969.
Harps were backed by a sizeable, and vocal away support and they’ll have left quite happy with their lot as Harps go three unbeaten and remain in eighth spot in the congested battle at the bottom.
The visiting support rose in unison to acclaim Michael Funston as the midfielder came on for the 335th and final time in Harps’ colours, the Bonagee man having announced last week that he is leaving the club following tonight’s game.
Sligo had the better of the few chances that did arrive and Harps will be thankful that Sligo hadn’t sneaked in front with the game’s first chance of note in the 38th minute – when the Bit O’Red were within millimetres of taking the lead.
Veteran Raffaele Cretaro got the better of Damien McNulty on the edge of the box and while his shot beat Ciaran Gallagher, it clipped off the top of the crossbar.
Cretaro went close again soon after when he got on the end of a whipped cross by Kieran Sadlier, but couldn’t get his shot on target.
As they headed for the solace of the dressing room, those moments served as a real warning to Harps, who had some decent moments in the opening half, without managing to force Michael Schlingermann, the Sligo goalkeeper, into action.
Ciaran O’Connor let fly from distance, but his attempt was always rising while Paddy McCourt had a similar result when he tried his luck from a 25-yard free.
McCourt again played through the pain barrier, the former Celtic and Northern Ireland player having been inhibited by a quad injury of late, while injury fears over Caolan McAleer were allayed with the Omagh man deemed fit for inclusion.
Harps were without the suspended Danny Morrissey, following his late sending off in last week’s 3-2 win over Limerick in Ballybofey, while Barry Molloy again sat out because of an injury.
Harps boss Ollie Horgan – who had to watch from the main stand at The Showgrounds as he served a one-game touchline suspension – made another switch in his starting XI, with McNulty returning in place of the demoted Gareth Harkin.
Just after the break, Harps were breathing another sigh of relief as Sadlier drilled just wide of the far post after being set free by Jonah Ayunga with the in-rushing Cretaro just failing to connect.
Rovers had claims for a penalty when Mikey Place went down in a crowded goalmouth, but the well-placed referee, Rob Rogers, waved the protests away.
Harps were content to sit on the share of the spoils, although Jonny Bonner – in for McCourt just after the hour – did at least get a shot on target for the visitors, but a first-timer in the 63rd minute was easily claimed by Schlingermann.
Harps are back in action in a fortnight’s time when they welcome Shamrock Rovers to Finn Park and they’ll have Pascal Millien available for that one with the Haitian midfielder cleared to play after the League’s brief hiatus.
Sligo Rovers: Michael Schlingermann; Tobi Adebayor-Rowling, Kyle Callan-McFadden, Michael Leahy, Regan Donelon; Jonah Ayunga, John Russell, Gary Boylan, Mikey Place (Craig Rodden 70); Kieran Sadlier, Raffael Cretaro (Chris Kenny 88).
Finn Harps: Ciaran Gallagher; Damien McNulty, Packie Mailey, Kilian Cantwell, Ciaran Coll; Caolan McAleer (Michael Funston 90), Ethan Boyle, Paddy McCourt (Jonny Bonner 63), Ciaran O’Connor; Sean Houson; Eddie Dsane (Gareth Harkin 76).
Referee: Rob Rogers
