Rovers fall to late defeat against Harps
Daire Walsh
Tunde Owolabi struck an 85th-minute goal in Ballybofey last night as champions Shamrock Rovers succumbed to a 2-1 reversal at the hands of Finn Harps in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division.
The hat-trick hero when the Donegal men defeated St Patrick’s Athletic in the same venue just over a fortnight ago, the Belgian-born striker once again produced the goods to decide the outcome in Finn Park.
This result – coupled with a 3-1 triumph for the Inchicore side against Longford Town at Richmond Park – leaves Rovers level on points with St Pat’s in the top-flight table.
Stephen Bradley’s charges still have two games less played than their Dublin rivals, but this does leave the door ajar for the Saints nonetheless.
It also represented the Hoops’ fourth consecutive loss in all competitions – spread across the league, the UEFA Europa Conference League qualifiers and the FAI Cup.
As part of a back-three that also included Joey O’Brien and Sean Gannon, recent recruit Barry Cotter was making his Rovers debut.
He was kept busy during the early exchanges of the action, with Adam Foley and Will Seymour both going close for the hosts.
As expected, Rovers grew into the game as it developed and Dylan Watts had a shot that drifted perilously past the target.
Following a scoreless opening period, the visitors were expected to push on after the resumption.
However, it was Harps who ultimately broke the deadlock 11 minutes into the second half through Jordan Mustoe.
Rory Gaffney was unfortunate to see an earlier effort smashing off the crossbar, but an element of good fortune did get the Hoops back on level terms in the 71st-minute.
From a dangerous delivery by Watts into the area, Foley inadvertently directed the ball into his own net. This looked set to be the launchpad for another Rovers comeback win, but Harps had other ideas.
Owolabi headed home with five minutes remaining on the clock to give Ollie Horgan’s side the maximum points on offer.
Rovers will look for an immediate reaction to this set-back when they host Waterford at the Tallaght Stadium next Friday.