CIARAN COLL HAD ONLY scored twice in 169 games before tonight, but his goal in the opening minute at The UCD Bowl has given Finn Harps a slender advantage in the First Division play-off.
UCD 0 Finn Harps 1
A bout of tonsillitis had Coll doubtful for the game, but the left-back’s goal in double-quick time reddened the throats of a sizeable and vocal away support.
Coll was unable to travel with the team this morning and was given a lift to Belfield by strength and conditioning coach Michael Black.
From the opening play of the game, the 24-year-old netted what proved to be the only goal of the game, while a late save by goalkeeper Ciaran Gallagher was every bit as vital.
Gallagher denied Jack Watson, who breached the offside trap, and the save secured the 17th clean sheet of a remarkable campaign for the Harps netminder.
Coll has been a steady influence all season, too, and it was he who emerged as the match-winner.
Picture caption: Ciaran Coll celebrates scoring the only goal of the game for Finn Harps. Picture courtesy of Gary Foy, newsandsportfiles
Gareth Harkin’s ball over the top sent Wilfried Tagbo on his way and, with Harps pouring men forward, the Frenchman cross was to a tee and Coll’s header was in the pin, the St Johnston man placing his header beyond Conor O’Donnell.
The clock had only 24 seconds upon it although, given that it was his first goal for the club since June 2012, when he netted his only other two against SD Galway, it could have been said that he took his time.
The left-back, who displayed plenty of energy and endeavour in the opening exchanges, saw his night ended prematurely.
It was a dagger through UCD, but the Students settled themselves and, after Maxi Kougoun headed wide from a corner, the home side had a big penalty shout when they claimed Tagbo had handled in the area.
A stern shake of the head from referee Ben Connolly meant their appeals fell upon deaf ears.
Thrown a selection dilemma with his side having gone on a seven-game unbeaten run of late, Horgan left out the in-form Matthew Crossan and the experienced Michael Funston.
The importance of the tie meant a start for captain Kevin McHugh, while there were also recalls for Josh Mailey, Raymond Foy and Gareth Harkin.
McHugh and Harkin both had chances to double the lead before half-time.
McHugh worked an opening just inside the box, but saw a left-footed shot deflected away for a corner.
Harkin, after being fed by McHugh, played himself into position, but screwed his shot wide of the near post having scampered into the box.
UCD had their moments but, while Gallagher was kept engaged, clear-cut chances remained at a premium.
Gallagher did well to hold a dangerous cross from Watson when Jamie Doyle was lurking at the far post while Doyle himself blasted well over after lining up the crosshairs.
Cormac Cannon glanced a header just off target and the Studenrs were closer still in the sixth minute of injury time at the end of a stop-start opening period, but Mick Leahy’s header was narrowly wide when Mark Langtry’s long throw-in was flicked into his path.
The fare on offer after the break dimmed in quality and there were times when the defending from Harps was breathless, not least in the 74th minute when Gallagher thwarted Doyle bravely in a scramble.
Four minutes from time, Harps thought they had doubled their lead, before the realisation dawned that Tony McNamee’s long throw-in from the right-hand side had bounced past O’Donnell without the aid of another touch.
Gallagher came to the rescue with a brilliant one-on-one save to deny Watson in the final minute and Leahy prodded inches wide of the far post at a time when hearts were in mouths at the conclusion.
There was still time for another penalty claim, but O’Neill was booked for simulation when he went down under Keith Cowan’s challenge.
Leg two is at Finn Park next Friday night. Nail-biting hardly covers it, but Harps are well poised to advance to the promotion-relegation play-off.
UCD: Conor O’Donnell; Mick Leahy, Maxi Kouogun (Daniel Tobin ’34), Tomas Boyle, Mark Langtry; Ryan Swan, Jack Watson, Gary O’Neill, Dylan Watts (Robbie Benson ’57), Jamie Doyle; Conor Cannon (Daire O’Connor ‘68).
Finn Harps: Ciaran Gallagher; Damien McNulty, Packie Mailey, Keith Cowan; Josh Mailey, Gareth Harkin, Raymond Foy, Tony McNamee, Ciaran Coll (Matthew Crossan ’27); Kevin McHugh (Michael Funston ‘77), Wilfried Tagbo (BJ Banda ’61).
Referee: Ben Connolly (Dublin).
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