SHAMROCK ROVERS TOOK another massive step towards securing European football for next season with their fourth consecutive league win on Friday night in Tallaght Stadium.
Strikes from fit-again striker Gary Shaw, Brandon Miele and a brace for 19-year-old substitute James Doona proved the difference in a dominant 4-1 win against struggling Finn Harps, with a late goal from BJ Banda acting as little consolation.
The win means Rovers extend their advantage over Derry City to four points in third spot, with Stephen Bradley’s side continuing a remarkable run of form which has featured eight wins in their last nine games in all competitions.
The only blot in that record came last Saturday when Rovers were defeated 3-0 by Dundalk in the EA Sports Cup final.
However with Europe within touching distance and an FAI Cup semi-final to come next week it could yet prove a successful first full season in charge for Bradley following Friday’s win against relegation-threatened Harps.
The Ballybofey club are currently without a win of their own in their last six games and now drop to 11th spot in the Premier Division with four games to go.
Manager Ollie Horgan described every point as “priceless” coming into this game, however his side found themselves behind and facing an uphill battle within half an hour of kick-off.
Advertisement
Rovers captain Simon Madden crossed along the right wing before English-born defender Cameron King volleyed the ball back across goal, where striker Shaw was ready and waiting to prod home for his 10th Premier Division goal of the season.
Though Harps did create a number of chances on the break, including efforts from Johnny Bonner, Paddy McCourt and Danny Morrissey, they were lucky to come into the break just a goal down after Rovers hit the post twice.
Shaw almost grabbed his second when he slipped a bobbling effort off the post from the edge of the area, before Miele also came within inches of doubling his side’s lead — the 23 year old too hitting the frame of the goal with an effort from range.
Rovers continued their dominance after the break and doubled their lead just six minutes after the interval. Though he could have scored a brace inside the opening 45 minutes, Miele finally got on the scoresheet with a blistering free-kick.
Positioned right on the edge of the penalty area he thundered a powerful effort gliding into Harps goalkeeper Ciaran Gallagher’s top corner — the 23 year-old’s seventh goal of the season.
The visitors produced a handful of chances thereafter, with defender Damien McNulty and striker Morrissey both coming closest to testing Tomer Chencinski on a quiet night for Harps in the final third.
Laszlo Geczo / INPHO
Laszlo Geczo / INPHO / INPHO
However as the game wore on it always seemed more likely for Rovers to build on their lead and grab a third, rather than Harps initiating the most unlikely and heroic of comebacks.
Serving the second and final game of his touchline suspension, Harps manager Horgan only grew quieter as the minutes counted down to his side’s sixth defeat in seven games, with more woe to come before the end.
Substitute James Doona was introduced on 61 minutes and just 13 minutes later the highly-rated teenager had a brace to his name. On two occasions he glided through a disjointed Harps defence, with both efforts finding the back of the net as Rovers strolled to victory.
BJ Banda was introduced late for Harps and just two minutes after taking to the field gave his side a late consolation, gliding the ball past goalkeeper Chencinski for 4-1.
On a night where Derry City fell battered and bruised at home to Bray at Maginn Park, the win edges Rovers decidedly closer towards securing a European place, while Harps fall dangerously into the bottom two.
SHAMROCK ROVERS: Tomer Chencinski, Simon Madden, Lee Grace, David McAllister, Luke Byrne (Dean Carpenter 65), Trevor Clarke (James Doona 61), Ronan Finn, Roberto Lopes, Cameron King (Ryan Connolly 70), Brandon Miele, Gary Shaw
FINN HARPS: Ciaran Gallagher, Damien McNulty, Shane Blaney, Gareth Harkin, Tommy McBride, Mark Timlin, Johnny Bonner (Ibrahim Keita 59), Paddy McCourt, Caolan McAleer (BJ Banda 81), Eddie Dsane, Danny Morrissey (Liam Walsh 86)
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Close
4 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic.
Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy
here
before taking part.
Rovers edge closer to securing European spot with dominant win in Tallaght
Shamrock Rovers 4
Finn Harps 1
Aaron Gallagher reports from Tallaght Stadium
SHAMROCK ROVERS TOOK another massive step towards securing European football for next season with their fourth consecutive league win on Friday night in Tallaght Stadium.
Strikes from fit-again striker Gary Shaw, Brandon Miele and a brace for 19-year-old substitute James Doona proved the difference in a dominant 4-1 win against struggling Finn Harps, with a late goal from BJ Banda acting as little consolation.
The win means Rovers extend their advantage over Derry City to four points in third spot, with Stephen Bradley’s side continuing a remarkable run of form which has featured eight wins in their last nine games in all competitions.
The only blot in that record came last Saturday when Rovers were defeated 3-0 by Dundalk in the EA Sports Cup final.
However with Europe within touching distance and an FAI Cup semi-final to come next week it could yet prove a successful first full season in charge for Bradley following Friday’s win against relegation-threatened Harps.
The Ballybofey club are currently without a win of their own in their last six games and now drop to 11th spot in the Premier Division with four games to go.
Manager Ollie Horgan described every point as “priceless” coming into this game, however his side found themselves behind and facing an uphill battle within half an hour of kick-off.
Rovers captain Simon Madden crossed along the right wing before English-born defender Cameron King volleyed the ball back across goal, where striker Shaw was ready and waiting to prod home for his 10th Premier Division goal of the season.
Though Harps did create a number of chances on the break, including efforts from Johnny Bonner, Paddy McCourt and Danny Morrissey, they were lucky to come into the break just a goal down after Rovers hit the post twice.
Shaw almost grabbed his second when he slipped a bobbling effort off the post from the edge of the area, before Miele also came within inches of doubling his side’s lead — the 23 year old too hitting the frame of the goal with an effort from range.
Rovers continued their dominance after the break and doubled their lead just six minutes after the interval. Though he could have scored a brace inside the opening 45 minutes, Miele finally got on the scoresheet with a blistering free-kick.
Positioned right on the edge of the penalty area he thundered a powerful effort gliding into Harps goalkeeper Ciaran Gallagher’s top corner — the 23 year-old’s seventh goal of the season.
The visitors produced a handful of chances thereafter, with defender Damien McNulty and striker Morrissey both coming closest to testing Tomer Chencinski on a quiet night for Harps in the final third.
However as the game wore on it always seemed more likely for Rovers to build on their lead and grab a third, rather than Harps initiating the most unlikely and heroic of comebacks.
Serving the second and final game of his touchline suspension, Harps manager Horgan only grew quieter as the minutes counted down to his side’s sixth defeat in seven games, with more woe to come before the end.
Substitute James Doona was introduced on 61 minutes and just 13 minutes later the highly-rated teenager had a brace to his name. On two occasions he glided through a disjointed Harps defence, with both efforts finding the back of the net as Rovers strolled to victory.
BJ Banda was introduced late for Harps and just two minutes after taking to the field gave his side a late consolation, gliding the ball past goalkeeper Chencinski for 4-1.
On a night where Derry City fell battered and bruised at home to Bray at Maginn Park, the win edges Rovers decidedly closer towards securing a European place, while Harps fall dangerously into the bottom two.
SHAMROCK ROVERS: Tomer Chencinski, Simon Madden, Lee Grace, David McAllister, Luke Byrne (Dean Carpenter 65), Trevor Clarke (James Doona 61), Ronan Finn, Roberto Lopes, Cameron King (Ryan Connolly 70), Brandon Miele, Gary Shaw
FINN HARPS: Ciaran Gallagher, Damien McNulty, Shane Blaney, Gareth Harkin, Tommy McBride, Mark Timlin, Johnny Bonner (Ibrahim Keita 59), Paddy McCourt, Caolan McAleer (BJ Banda 81), Eddie Dsane, Danny Morrissey (Liam Walsh 86)
Referee: Robert Hennessey
Subscribe to The42 podcasts here:
More problems for Athlone Town as forward handed seven-match ban for betting
Cleaning Ian Harte’s boots, learning from Jaap Stam and chasing a historic double
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Finn Harps Gary Shaw harps Hoops LOI Ollie Horgan Shamrock Rovers Stephen Bradley