Finn Harps made up for last week’s disappointing defeat to UCD with a 3-2 victory over Sligo Rovers at Finn Park.
In what was an eventful opening half, Harps manager Ollie Horgan was sent off after he received two yellow cards from match referee Rob Hennessy in the 16th minute.
This had no effect on Horgan’s side as two minutes later, Barry McNamee unleashed a powerful drive to give Harps the lead.
On 36 minutes, it was 2-0 as Ryan Rainey headed home from former Rovers player Gary Boylan’s corner.
Aidan Keena got a goal back for Rovers with a delicate chip two minutes into the second half.
Harps frustrated Rovers throughout the game and were given a chance to re-register their two-goal lead on 68 minutes from the penalty spot.
Another former Rovers player Ryan Connolly stepped up and dispatched the spot-kick.
Connolly joined his manager in the home dressing room following a second bookable offence two minutes later.
On 81 minutes, John Russell’s side were rewarded a penalty of their own which Keena made no mistake to score his 13th league goal of the season.
As much as Rovers tried they could not find the back of the net for a third time as the ten men of Harps held on for a vital victory.
After the game, Finn Harps assistant manager Gavin Dykes spoke to Ocean FM Sport’s Dónal Ryan:
Dónal Ryan also got the thoughts of Sligo Rovers manager John Russell:
Friday’s SSE Airtricity League Premier Division results:
Finn Harps 3 Sligo Rovers 2
Drogheda United 1 Derry City 1
Shelbourne 1 Bohemians 1
UCD 1 St. Patrick’s Athletic 2
