A goal in the ninth minute from Stephen Geoghegan was enough to secure three points for Shelbourne on Saturday night and leave Finn Harps at the bottom of the table without a point. In a far from pretty spectacle, Dermot Keely's men defended that early lead doggedly, but despite the home side's greater possession, they still couldn't carve a clear opening until the final few minutes. Indeed, despite Shelbourne adopting a `what we have we hold' philosophy, the visitors still managed the best chances of the game and were always dangerous on the break.
They broke the deadlock when Geoghegan chipped Brian McKenna in what was their first real attack of the match. Harps replied with a Fergal Harkin shot in the 20th minute, but it never troubled Steve Williams. Harps' new signing Allistair McMillan was alert enough to clear David Campbell's shot off the line in the 21st minute and on the stroke of half-time Geoghegan blazed over the bar from close range after Richie Baker had caused havoc in the box. Five minutes into the second half, a misdirected clearance from Tom Mohan fell to Gary Haylock, but with the goal at his mercy he blasted wide. He was denied again four minutes later when Declan Boyle made a great goal-line block as the visitors continued to be dangerous on the break.
Harps continued to enjoy the greater share of the play, but could not breach the Shelbourne defence until the 87th minute when Harkin's shot was saved by Williams with his feet.
That save was enough to secure the win for Shelbourne to keep them in a challenging position and leave Harps still looking for their first points in the championship.
Finn Harps: McKenna, Vaudequin, Minnock, Boyle, Dykes, McMillan, Mohan, Hutchinson, Speak, Mulligan, Harkin. Subs: McGrenaghan for Hutchinson (61 mins), McHugh for Vaudequin (71 mins), Sheridan for Speak (80 mins).
Shelbourne: Williams, Heary, D Geoghegan, McCarthy, Campbell, Scully, Haylock, S Geoghegan, Baker, Byrne, Fenlon. Subs: Dillon for Byrne (77 mins), Powell for Haylock (85 mins).
Referee: P Whelan (Dublin).
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