Soccer

Owolabi penalty seals derby success for Harps

Belgian striker buried his spot-kick in the top corner after Ryan Rainey had been fouled

Finn Harps’ Babatunde Owolabi celebrates scoring what would be the winning goal from the penalty spot. Photograph: Evan Logan/Inpho

Fri Aug 27 2021 - 22:45

Finn Harps 1 Derry City 0

Man-of-the-moment Tunde Owolabi smashed home a 73rd minute penalty as Finn Harps recorded their first ever FAI Cup win over arch-rivals Derry City at Finn Park.

Following last week's superb hat-trick over St. Patrick's Athletic in the league, the Belgian striker buried his spot-kick in the top corner after Ryan Rainey had been fouled by Ronan Boyce.

When these two teams last met in this competition, in 2012, City won 4-0 in a second round game.

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Gerard Doherty, the former Derry goalkeeper, made his debut for Harps at the tender age of 40, having been signed as cover for regular Mark Anthony McGinley who was on the subs bench.

Harps edged the early stages with Barry McNamee impressing and chances falling to Ryan Rainey and Jordan Mustoe.

Derry's first chance of note came when Ciaran Coll dropped in a fine ball into the six yard box where Junior Ogedi Uzokwe was lurking but Dave Webster got a vital touch in at the expense of a corner.

Twice Adam Foley went close for Harps before, on 73 minutes, Rainey was fouled inside the box and Owolabi duly obliged with a cracking penalty – Harps first ever goal against City in this competition.

And minutes later Owolabi was nearly in with a header.

Derry lifted their game in a bid to get an equaliser and substitute Evan McLaughlin saw a shot well saved by Doherty on 81 minutes while Junior, Danny Lafferty and Ciaran Coll had chances before the finish.

FINN HARPS: Doherty; Boyle (Sadiki, 67 mins) , McEleney, Webster, Mustoe (O'Sullivan, 44 mins); Foley, Dunleavy, Coyle, Rainey; McNamee; Owolabi (Boyd, 83 mins).

DERRY CITY: Gartside; Boyce (Ferry, 83 mins), Toal, Coll; Malone, Harkin (McLaughlin, 76 mins), Thompson, Hery (Akintunde, 64 mins), Lafferty; McGonigle, Ogedi-Uzokwe.

Referee: R. Harvey (Dublin).

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