Harps, Town in stalemate

FINN HARPS and Longford Town must do it all again on Monday evening in Finn Park, after neither side could break the deadlock in a lacklustre affair.

Harps who had the first effort on goal in the seventh minute when Mark Forker’s free from the right was headed over by Keith Cowen.

At the other end Don Cowan blasted his shot over the bar.

Harps had a glorious opportunity to break the deadlock in the 34th minute. Forker’s cross from the right fell nicely to Tommy Bonner but he couldn’t get his effort on target.

Harps were reduced to 10 men when Kevin McHugh was dismissed 11 minutes after the break for an off-the-ball incident.

Town defender Paddy Collins made a crucial block in the 64th minute to keep his side in the game, throwing his body at Gareth Harkin’s goalbound effort.

LONGFORD TOWN: Rouse, Deans, Hope, Collins, Cronin, L Roche, Walsh, Salmon, A Roche (D O’Reilly 80), Cowan, Skelly.

FINN HARPS: Gallagher, McLaughlin, Cowen, Mailey, Coll, Forker, McElwee, Bonner, Brolly, Harkin, McHugh.

Referee: J McLoughlin (Athlone)