Danny Morrissey netted an equaliser as Finn Harps drew with Derry City in a fund-raising friendly at Maginn Park.
Derry City 1 Finn Harps 1
Morrissey scored from close range to cancel out Josef Dolný’s opener for City.
The game was to raise money for the Inishowen Flood Relief Fund and while a low attendance turned out, the game served as a useful run out for both sides.
Harps gave 90 minutes to Letterkenny teenager Shane Blaney ahead of tomorrow-week’s huge game against Sligo Rovers at Finn Park.
With Kilian Cantwell suspended and Packie Mailey injury, Blaney gave an assured display here that suggests he could well be thrust into the spotlight next weekend.
Shane Blaney in action against Harry Monaghan of Derry City. Picture by Joe Boland, North West News Pix
Derry took the lead on 66 minutes. Rory Patterson created the opening with a delightful pass on the edge of the area and Dolný finished well past Peter Burke.
It was Dolný’s first Derry goal since the Slovak signed from Podbeskidzie Bielsko-Biała in July.
Dolný whizzed another effort not far wide and Lukas Schubert drilled off target from 20 yards, but Harps got back on level terms when Morrissey edged Derry ‘keeper Eric Grimes to turn home,
Derry might’ve sneaked the win, but Schubert was denied by the post.
Pascal Millien forced a good save from Grimes in the 13th minute. After combining well with Ibrahim Keita, Millien forced Grimes to turn over the top.
Millien had been rumoured to be on his way out of Finn Park in recent weeks, but the Haiti international showed up well on the left flank and, on the half-hour, Millien almost caught Grimes out with a bending free kick that the Derry ‘keeper was glad to see fly over.
Kealan McDermott in action for Finn Harps against Derry City. Picture by Joe Boland, North West News Pix
Rory Patterson headed wide at the other end and Burke had to be at his best to, first, save Aaron McEneff’s free and, once Derry recycled the play, then to deny Schubert in the follow-up.
Schubert asked questions of Burke again later in the half, but the Harps netminder beat away a super hit from the Austrian, while Harps had a penalty claim waved away by referee Benny McDaid when Morrissey appeared to be clipped by Grimes.
Derry City: Eric Grimes; Harry Monaghan, Eoin Toal, Darren Cole, Nicky Low; Lukas Schubert, Aaron McEneff, Josef Dolny, Ben Doherty; Barry McNamee, Rory Patterson. Subs used: Nathan Boyle, Sam Todd, Adrian Delap, Mikey Place.
Finn Harps: Peter Burke; Kealan McDermott, Kilian Cantwell, Shane Blaney; Caolan McAleer, Tommy McBride, Jonny Bonner, Gareth Harkin, Pascal Millien; Ibrahim Keita, Danny Morrissey. Subs used: Mark Timlin, BJ Banda, Liam Walsh.
Referee: Benny McDaid.
Gareth Harkin challenges Derry City’s Rory Patterson. Picture by Joe Boland, North West News Pix
