Daithi McCallion pounces late as Finn Harps hold leaders Galway United

Finn Harps are making something a habit of these dramatic late goals.

Finn Harps 2 Galway United 2

Daithi McCallion scored his first Harps goal to rescue a share of the spoils after an absorbing clash with runaway First Division leaders Galway United in Ballybofey on Friday night.

Harps twice had to come from behind to earn a point with Sean O’Donnell and McCallion, who both began the night on the bench,

After O’Donnell cancelled out a classy Ronan Manning opener, Rob Slevin looked to have returned to haunt Harps. Slevin, who spent the 2022 season at Harps, netted a 69th minute goal that looked as if it might sneak a victory for the Tribesmen, who are on a relentless charge towards the First Division title.

When Slevin shot home under the body of new Harps goalkeeper Antonio Tuta, it seemed as if Harps would be left frustrated. However, just as fourth official Michael Connolly was raising the board to signal four minutes of added time, McCallion - on loan at Finn Park for the season from Derry City - rose to head in from Tony McNamee’s long throw.

It brought an end to a breathless night by the Finn and the late leveller was the very least that Dave Rogers’ Harps deserved.

Earlier, teenage attacker Sean O’Donnell equalised, just 41 seconds into the second half having only just been brought on at the break, after Manning gave Galway first blood.

Galway, 16 points clear at the summit, played with ten men from the 24th minute after Vincent Borden was dismissed, and were on the rack for long periods of the game. Harps left empty handed after a night when Dave Rogers’ men will feel they should’ve taken at least a share of the spoils.

O’Donnell, a half-time replacement for BJ Banda, met Ryan Flood’s cross and his header, while lacking a little in power, had enough to go under goalkeeper Brendan Clarke.

The Inishowen teenager had scored late winners against Longford Town and Cobh Ramblers and his third of the season sent waves of energy around the old place.

Harps were close to hitting the front in the 53rd minute. Again, Flood was the architect. McNamee’s header was saved before the follow-up from Patrick Ferry - another replacement at half-time - was blocked by Killian Brouder.

There was a considerable edge in the air for an often feisty affair in the Ballybofey drizzle.

The presence of the ever-animated former Harps manager Ollie Horgan in the visiting dugout helped turn the temperature up a notch. Horgan was booked in the first half having been involved in a heated exchange with the opposite technical area.

Harps fell behind in the 16th manning when Manning pinched from the pockets of Harps defender Scott Wara, who was caught out in possession. Manning broke clear and clipped a delightful effort beyond the reach of the helpless Tuta.

Rory Kelly had been recruited after Tim Hiemer suffered an injury that could end his season, but the Buncrana man was unavailable and Tuta, a 27-year-old Croatia, was drafted in.

Just seconds before the goal, Harps had a decent chance of their own. Tony McNamee released Flood down the left-hand side and the American surged into the area, but a thumping effort was repelled by Clarke.

Wara had blocked well from the unmarked Manning on the edge of the box, but a superb finish from the Galway winger broke the deadlock.

Harps might’ve drawn level in the 22nd minute, but Banda - whose dramatic late header secured victory at Kerry FC a week previously - dragged wide from a good position having been fed by McNamee.

Banda was in for the first start of his second spell at Harps with Caoimhin Porter promoted to the starting XI. Harps also welcomed Ryan Rainey back for his first outing since suffering an injury in a 4-1 defeat to Athlone in May. Rainey has been installed as the club captain following the recent departure of Keith Cowan.

A lively opening chapter continued with Borden making the long walk back to the away dressing room after he was dismissed. Referee Paul Norton reached straight for the hip pocket when Borden went in on Jamie Watson. The Galway bench was livid at the decision and a coming together of players hardly aided in simmering the tensions.

Harps had a good spell late in the half, enjoying plenty of possession, and Clarke - who had to claw away from a probing Flood corner - had to be on alert to thwart Porter seven minutes before half-time.

Porter was closer again in added time, flicking a header to an inviting position at the far post, but Colm Horgan managed to hook clear.

After the hour, with Harps’ confidence up following O’Donnell’s leveller, McNamee riffled over a half-volley when the ball fell into his path on the edge of the D.

Seven minutes from the end, O’Donnell curled over as Harps went in search of their second equaliser of the night while Rainey’s powerful effort was beaten away brilliantly by Clarke.

Just when the clock was going red, McCallion pounced to give Harps a deserved point on a night that offered much encouragement.

Finn Harps: Antonio Tuta; Jamie Watson, Scott Wara (Daithi McCallion 44), Matthew Makinson, Stephen Doherty (Patrick Ferry h-t); Caoimhin Porter (Aaron McLaughlin 77), Ryan Rainey, Max Hutchison (Daniel Stokoe 89), Ryan Flood; Tony McNamee; BJ Banda (Sean O’Donnell h-t).

Galway United: Brendan Clarke; Colm Horgan (Regan Donelon 59), Killian Brouder, Rob Slevin, Oisin O’Reilly (Francely Lomboto); Conor McCormack, Vincent Borden; Edward McCarthy (Evan O’Connor 70), David Hurley, Ronan Manning (Aodh Dervin h-t); Stephen Walsh (Wassim Aouachria 59).

Referee: Paul Norton.