Hughes treble wins it
SHELBOURNE………………..
FINN HARPS…………………….
By Daire Walsh
First Division
Philip Hughes was the hat-trick hero at Tolka Park last night, as Shelbourne edged an event-filled First Division clash with Finn Harps.
The visitors opened the scoring on 11 minutes when Gareth Harkin’s corner on the right was headed home powerfully by Damien McNulty.
The hosts suffered a further setback when striker Mark Sandford was issued with a straight red-card after catching Harps netminder Ciaran Gallagher with a high boot, but four minutes prior to the interval, Hughes equalised from the penalty spot.
Harps restored their lead within 30 seconds of the restart courtesy of a Tony McNamee finish from close-range.
However, Harps were also reduced to 10 men eight minutes into the second period, as centre-half Keith Cowan received his marching orders.
The veteran frontman subsequently converted his second penalty of the evening, before completing his hat-trick with a cool finish just shy of the hour mark.
Harps persevered with their challenge in the closing moments, but following their third defeat of the campaign, they have slipped down to second-place in the table.
In last night’s other First Division game Wexford Youths won 3-2 at Cabinteely.
SHELBOURNE: Murray; O’Connor, Robinson, Heaney, Osam; McGlade, Donnelly (Andrews 90), Walsh, Earley (Kehoe 85); Sandford, Hughes (English 77).
FINN HARPS: Gallagher; McNulty, Cowan, P Mailey (Friel 68), Coll; Tagbo, Crossan (McMonagle 46), Foy (J Mailey 84), Harkin; McNamee, McHugh.
Referee: A Mullally (Waterford).