'We were second best for too long': Darren Murphy

Darren Murphy admitted that his Finn Harps side was 'second best' in Friday's 1-0 defeat to Athlone Town.

For only the second time this season, Harps suffered defeat as Dean Ebbe's goal midway through the first half proved the difference.

On a night when clear-cut chances were minimal, Ebbe's header in the 24^th minute proved the decisive moment and Murphy was frustrated with the night's fruits.

“You can't win a game of football when you only compete for 45 minutes,” the Harps manager said.

“The first 45 minutes were a non-event. We didn't show up. We were second best. We didn't win first ball. We didn't win second ball. We didn't really create anything.”

What Murphy described as 'an honest conversation' played out in the away dressing room at half-time, but Harps were unable to haul themselves back as dogged Athlone held on.

He said: “There was no ranting and raving. We just had an honest conversation at half-time and we just asked for a wee bit more.

“We got the wee bit more and created some chances. If we had taken anything from Athlone, it would have been the old smash and grab because we were second best for too long.

“There are fine lines and it's about taking opportunities when they come along. We created enough but if you don't take them you'll end up with nothing.”

Harps welcomed Aaron McLaughlin back into the squad after several weeks out with an injury with Tim Hiemer and Ryan Rainey also returning after sitting out the draw against UCD.

It was a first defeat in six for Harps and Murphy has challenged his players to hit back next week when making the long trek to face Cobh Ramblers.

He said: “The positives were that we are still sitting in second and we have had a fantastic start.

“We have lost two games our of ten so it's not all that it seems to be. The players have raised expectations. The big thing now is how they react to that performance. It'll be interesting to see how they go to Cobh and respond.

“The First Division is very competitive. There is a hair's breadth between all of the teams and I think it'll stay like that.

“ Every week, there are ups and downs. Last year, we had runaway trains in Galway and Waterford, but we don't have that this year. We have a very competitive League and every team has the capabilities of taking points off each other.”