WHEN HE TRIED – and failed in spectacular fashion it must be said – with an overhead kick in the pre-match warm-up, Finn Harps mascot Harper probably knew it wasn’t going to be his night.
Harper was on the field ahead of Harps’ Premier Division fixture against Sligo Rovers at Finn Park last night and tried to meet a deft cross with an audacious effort – only to land flat on his face. Laugher rolled in from the terraces as Harper, showing pride over pain, jumped to his feet to give a wave of acknowledgment despite not getting a chance to show his Pedigree, Chum.
Then, 27 minutes into the match with the score still 0-0, match referee Tommy Connolly stopped play and told a steward at the Town End of Finn Park to remove poor Harper, who was motioning to make saves behind the Rovers goal, which was being marshalled by Ed McGinty, a Motherwell native whose family come from Ballyshannon. Ruff justice indeed, although the steward did not lay a paw on him.
After declaring his innocence and shrugging his shoulders a few times, poor Harper was removed from the end-line, much to the disappointment of both sets of supporters, who barked his innocence.
Nathan Boyle, a minute later, scored the first of his two goals in Harps’ 2-0 win, although Twitter did show some sympathy for poor Harper, who may or may not be suspended for Monday’s visit of Cork City.
Who ever said it’s a dog’s life?
