Tunde Owolabi smashes home penalty as Finn Harps beat Derry in cup derby

Belgian striker keeps cool as Donegal side record first ever FAI Cup win over arch-rivals  

Finn Harps' Babatunde Owolabi celebrates scoring the winning goal from the penalty spot against Derry City. 

FAI Cup 

Finn Harps 1 Derry City 0 

Chris Ashmore

Man-of-the-moment Tunde Owolabi smashed home a 73rd-minute penalty as Finn Harps recorded their first ever FAI Cup win over arch-rivals Derry City on a night to remember for the Finn Park faithful.

Following last week’s superb hat-trick over St Patrick’s Athletic in the league, the Belgian striker buried his spot-kick in the top corner after Ryan Rainey had been fouled by Ronan Boyce.

And after beating Derry at the Brandywell in the league for the first time ever earlier this season, this was another great result for the rising stars under manager Ollie Horgan, who had to watch from the stands as he was suspended.

When these two teams last met in this competition, in 2012, City won 4-0 in a second-round game and went on to lift the trophy after beating St Patrick’s Athletic in the final.

Gerard Doherty, the legendary Candystripes goalkeeper was between the sticks for City on that occasion, but last night, he made his debut for the Donegal club, at the tender age of 40, having been signed as cover for regular Mark Anthony McGinley who was on the subs bench.

Harps edged the early stages with Barry McNamee impressing and chances falling to Ryan Rainey and Jordan Mustoe.

Derry’s first chance of note came when Ciaran Coll dropped in a fine ball into the six-yard box where Junior Ogedi Uzokwe was lurking but Dave Webster got a vital touch in at the expense of a corner which yielded nothing for the visitors.

Twice Adam Foley went close for Harps before, on 73 minutes, Rainey was fouled inside the box and Owolabi duly obliged with a cracking penalty — Harps first-ever goal against City in this competition.

And minutes later Owolabi was nearly in with a header.

Derry lifted their game in a bid to get an equaliser and substitute Evan McLaughlin saw a shot well saved by Doherty on 81 minutes while Junior, Danny Lafferty, and Ciaran Coll had chances but Harps held on for a deserved victory and left to thundering applause.

FINN HARPS: Doherty; Boyle (Sadiki, 67 mins) , McEleney, Webster, Mustoe (O’Sullivan, 44 mins); Foley, Dunleavy, Coyle, Rainey; McNamee; Owolabi (Boyd, 83 mins).

DERRY CITY: Gartside; Boyce (Ferry, 83 mins), Toal, Coll; Malone, Harkin (McLaughlin, 76 mins), Thompson, Hery (Akintunde, 64 mins), Lafferty; McGonigle, Ogedi-Uzokwe.

Referee: R. Harvey (Dublin).