Nathan McDaid the hero as Finn Harps U-20s stun Waterford late on

Nathan McDaid struck deep in injury time as Finn Harps edged out a fancied Waterford FC in what was a superb EA Sports League of Ireland Enda McGuill Cup encounter in Ballybofey.

A physically and technically impressive Waterford held the upper hand in the first-half on Navenny Street but an under-the-cosh Harps still only trailed by a single goal at the changeover. 

Tommy Walsh’s young guns got off to a dream start when things got going once more as Max Johnston capitalised on a defensive mistake to square matters. 

Harps lifted things considerably in the second stanza but just when the tie looked destined for extra-time McDaid snatched a dramatic 94th minutes winner. 

Back at the beginning, it took this one a little while to bubble with Waterford gaining the first sight of goal on the quarter hour mark as Evan Geary got in on the right but a fine tackle from James McAteer deflected that effort up and over. 

However, on 24 minutes the visitors were handed the chance to take the lead when McAteer was adjudged to have taken down Zak O’Sullivan inside the area and a penalty was awarded. 

Up stepped Anthony Adenopo and even though Oisin Cooney guessed right and got something on it, the effort still squeezed in for the game’s opening goal. 

On 30 minutes we were presented with a bizarre incident where the referee stopped the game and wouldn’t restart it until a home supporter, with a camera in hand, was moved away from the perimeter of the pitch.

The charge was one of abusing the linesman on that side! Once the vocal snapper was dealt with matters resumed. Adenopo again got in on the left side of the Harps area but Cooney easily dealt with what was a scuffed effort. 

Basit Ishola then produced a brilliant piece of skill where he let a ball into feet run between his legs before turning to shoot. 

This time the Waterford connection was a powerful one and it took a fine stop from Cooney to prevent his team going two down. 

Five minutes out from the break a quick snap from home skipper Adam Duffy outside the area was easily deal with by Jason Healy while soon after, up the other side, an offside flag prevented Geary from doubling his side’s advantage, at the midpoint, as his finish found the bottom corner of the net. 

The second-half was barely a minute old when a defensive mix-up between Ronan Masfield and visiting netminder Healy allowed Johnston to nip in and level matters. 

Soon after, substitute Shaunie Bradley also nearly got goalside as a much improved Harps looked to take the lead. 

Still, Waterford eventually settled and really should have got their noses back in front on 52 minutes when Zak O’Sullivan somehow headed over from almost point-blank range after full-back Shane McDonald had done so well to dig out a cross. 

Nearing the hour mark and good link-up play between Duffy and Nathan McDaid tempted the latter to look to bend one from the edge of the area but that ambitious intention flew well wide of the mark. 

Up the other end, Mansfield saw his driven effort rebound off a sea of Harps bodies as a Waterford corner broke kindly to the centre half just inside the area. 

Direct football from a Cooney clearance almost put Tiernan Ruddy in as Johnston’s knock on was claimed by the outrushing Healy. 

Excellent wide play from McDaid on 66 minutes then seen the tricky number 7 fire low into the area. Bradley took a touch however when the chance probably needed a first-time boot swung at it. 

Harps were now the better side and it took a brilliant stop from Healy to prevent Adam McDaid from putting the home side ahead. 

Moving into the last quarter of an hour and another direct passage put Ruddy scampering down the right. With options powering through the middle Adam Quelly did so well to cut out the attempted square. 

With the pendulum swinging, Waterford substitute Callum McFadden also had an effort on goal cleared over the crossbar as McAteer got his body in the way. 

On 78 minutes, a McDaid corner was met powerfully by Bradley but Healy somehow keep the ball out. Harps continued to turn the screw as Healy again just got there before McDaid. 

Two minutes from the end, McAteer had to be so alert as he cleared almost off his own goal line to deny McFadden. 

Waterford had a late penalty appeal for handball waved away and, right down the other end on the breakaway, McDaid pounced for an injury time winner. 

Finn Harps: Oisin Cooney; Oisin Porter, Adam McDaid, James McAteer, Dylan McAteer; Nathan McDaid, Mark McGlynn (Shaunie Bradley, ht), Darragh Coyle, Tiernan Ruddy; Max Johnston, Adam Duffy. 

Waterford FC: Jason Healy; Shane McDonald, Adam Quelly, Ronan Mansfield, Mikey Carroll; Zak O’Sullivan, Basit Ishola, Ramsey Miller (Sean Keane, 70), Anthony Adenopo (Callum McFadden, 70); Dylan Warren, Evan Geary (David Leavey, 86). 

Referee: Vincent McLaughlin.