Heavy weather but Harps call the tune

Finn Harps made heavy weather of advancing to the next round in Ballybofey yesterday.

Harps dominated in the opening half but missed a number of chances. Shane Bradley and John Gerard McGettigan had early efforts saved by former Harps goalkeeper John Walsh, but the best chance of the half fell to Paddy McGrenaghan, who hesitated and saw his effort from eight yards easily saved.

Two minutes into the second half Harps finally made their dominance tell. The ball broke kindly for midfielder Sammy Johnston who strode into the penalty area and drove the ball beyond Walsh.

The second arrived after 69 minutes when, from a cross by Bradley, Walsh was only able to tip it down to the feet of substitute Paul Cullen whose cross was volleyed to the net by James Mulligan from six yards.

Finn Harps: Byrne, McGettigan, Bradley, Boyle, O'Kane, O'Brien, McGranaghan, Johnston, Speak, Mulligan, Gauld. Subs: Cullen for McGranaghan (64 mins). Callaghan for Speak (65 mins).

Bray Wanderers: Walsh, Kenny, Gill, Lynch, McGeever, Whelan, A Smith, O'Hanlon, O'Brien, Parsons, G Smyth. Subs: Coyle for Parsons (half-time). O'Brien for Gill (77 mins), Dodd for Whelan (77 mins).

Referee: J Feighery (Dublin).