Shamrock Rovers 1-1 Finn Harps: Ten-man Hoops held by Harps
By Daire Walsh at Tallaght Stadium
Ollie Horgan’s side cut a recent run of defeats with a creditable point away to Shamrock Rovers at Tallaght Stadium
Shamrock Rovers lost further ground on the leaders with a disappointing draw against Finn Harps at Tallaght Stadium.
Gary Shaw’s first half header got the Hoops off to perfect start, but Dave Scully soon leveled for Harps after the break. Rovers subsequently lost Gary McCabe to a red card for an off the ball incident.
When Ciaran Coll beat Miele to an 8th minute long-ball, it looked like the danger had been diverted by the visitors. However, the wing-back’s header was spilled behind for a corner by Ciaran Gallagher, and Brandon Miele’s subsequent corner from the left-wing was nodded home by the imposing Shaw.
Miele was narrowly off-target from a Simon Madden pull-back on 22 minutes, while Gallagher also produced an outstanding save from the ever-dangerous Shaw in the closing stages of the half.
The Metropolitans were ideally placed to claim all three points upon the resumption, but they were left shell-shocked in the 48th minute, as an enticing cross from the left-flank was headed into the bottom right-hand corner by Scully.
This increased the pressure on the Hoops, and they suffered a further blow with 24 minutes remaining in the tie, as McCabe was shown a straight red-card for an off-the-ball incident.
Ollie Horgan’s side will be hoping to build on this positive performance at home to Sligo Rovers next Friday, while the Hoops, who briefly move into third place in the top-flight, will be hoping for a successful journey to St. Patrick’s Athletic on the same evening.