Finn Harps beaten as Treaty United score early and late

Treaty United scored early and late to take victory over Finn Harps at Finn Park on Friday night.

Robbie Lynch netted after just six minutes and Mark Byrne made the win safe when he fired home the second in the 88th minute.

The early concession came as a hammer blow and Harps couldn’t find a way past Corey Chambers, falling to a second successive defeat.

The 1,029 attendance, many of whom were late coming into the venue, willed Harps on in the closing stages, but they were stunned when Byrne powered in the second.

Byrne made ground down the left flank and was a fair bit out when he let fly. Byrne’s shot went in off the inside of the far post to seal the win for Treaty.

McHugh made four changes to the side that began the 3-1 defeat at Cobh Ramblers a week earlier - a result that was Harps’ first defeat in seven.

Anto Dodd, William Oduwa, Gavin Hodgins and Joel Thompson all came into the team. 

Harps were without the injured Conor Tourish and Mikey Place and the absence of Tourish, so often a pillar in the Harps rearguard, was evident as early as the sixth minute when Treaty opened the scoring. Karl O’Sullivan’s corner from the left curled dangerously toward the front post. 

‘Keeper David Aziaya came for it, but got a minimal connection. Harps didn’t deal with the loose ball and Lynch slammed in his first goal of the season from close range. 

Harps had a chance just a minute earlier, but Patrick Ferry headed wide after getting on the end of an ambitious cross from the left-hand side.

Treaty boss Tommy Barrett had kept faith with the same 11 from a 1-0 victory over Athlone. 

Ex-Harps players Yoyo Mahdy, who scored the winner against Athlone, and Karl O’Sullivan were included in the Shannonsiders’ side. There was another familiar face among the Treaty ranks with Milford physiotherapist Mickey McGlynn - a former long-time Harps physio - standing in for the evening.

On 15 minutes, Mahdy’s free kick from 20 yards was deflected wide off the Harps wall.

The fingertips of Aziaya, just, managed to tip over a buzzing effort by Lee Devitt in the 28th minute.

Harps warmed to their task and the hosts had a big penalty shout when Max Hutchison, who played wearing a protective facial mask, went to ground, but referee Ryan Maher gave a stern shake of the head towards McHugh, whose outstretched arms asked the question of the official.

Maher handed out five yellow cards, including one to McHugh, with the frustrations of the home support clear towards the official for much of the evening.

Just after the hour, O’Sullivan almost double the Treaty lead, but he was narrowly wide from the edge of the area after Devitt’s cross teed him up.

A minute later, McGuinness, not long after his introduction, headed just over after connecting with a Gradi Lomboto cross, smacking off the goal frame in the process. 

Sub David Cawley was off-target when he tried his luck from distance five minutes from the end and Harps were cooked when Byrne doubled the lead. 

There was a further blow for Harps in added time when the injured Thompson had to be helped from the pitch.

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Finn Harps: David Aziaya; William Oduwa (Gavin Gilmore 70), Josh Cullen, Max Hutchinson, Joel Thompson (Kevin Jordan 90+2); Tony McNamee, Anto Dodd (David Cawley 60; Gavin Hodgins, Gavin McAteer (Aaron McLaughlin 70), Gradi Lomboto; Patrick Ferry (Dara McGuinness 60).

Treaty United: Corey Chambers; Evan O’Connor, Robbie Lynch, Mark Walsh (Richard Boevi half-time), Ben Lynch; Steven Healy (Connor Wilson 90), Eoin Martin; Karl O’Sullivan, Lee Devitt, Mark Byrne; Yoyo Mandy (David Tarmey 67).

Referee: Ryan Maher.