Horgan hails ‘driven’ players as Harps get used to life at the top
Finn Harps 2, Waterford 1
Ollie Horgan says he could get used to new heights after a dramatic late goal by captain Dave Webster continued Finn Harps’ superb start to the season.
Webster cracked in a 92nd-minute winner to sink Waterford and maintain Harps’ unbeaten run.
Harps have battled to avoid the relegation quicksands in their most recent terms in the top flight, but Webster’s winner here means Harps are behind leaders St Pat’s only on goal difference.
“If we were at the bottom of the table, that might have gone into the river,” Horgan said. “When you’re down at the bottom, nothing goes your way. When you’re at the other end, which is new to us, things seem to fall your way and that’s what happened in the last minute.
“Long may it continue. It’s something that we’re not used to – but we’d like to get used to it.”
Harps fell behind in the 35th minute when John Martin rose unchallenged to power home a header. Six minutes later, Adam Foley fired in his fourth goal in as many games to draw Harps level. There was a worry when Foley limped out of the action 20 minutes from the end.
Horgan said: “We have to manage him properly, especially with two games coming up in the next 10 days. We’ve got to make sure what way we manage it is correct and not throw him in for two 90 minutes – because he won’t be able for it.”
Foley was denied by Brian Murphy early in the second half with Harps energised. Former Ireland striker Daryl Murphy headed into the arms of Mark Anthony McGinley with a glorious chance for Waterford.
Just when it seemed as if the spoils would be shared, Webster conjured up a superb winner, firing to the top corner after Barry McNamee’s corner wasn’t cleared.
Horgan said: “We responded well – and we needed to. They have always shown character. All my sides here have driven to the end. It’s the players who have driven this and they’ll have to drive it again.”
Finn Harps – McGinley; Boyle, McEleney, Sadiki, Webster (Folan 90+2); Coyle, Seymore; O’Sullivan, Russell (Owolabe 70), B McNamee; Foley (Shanley 70).
Waterford – Murphy; Power, Ferguson, Evans, Mascoll; Griffin (Mulowayi 68), Sobowale, Martin, O’Reilly; Waite, Mutswunguma (Murphy 61).
Ref – J McLoughlin
Online Editors
Latest League of Ireland
- Three losses in a row for Dundalk as Bohs leave Oriel Park with a win
- Cabinteely Covid case sees First Division clash with Galway United called off
- Dalymount Park revamp kicks off with €900,000 from Large Scale Sports Infrastructure Fund approved by government
- ‘I felt I needed a manager to maybe push me on that extra bit’ – Coughlan cites O’Donnell influence in Pat’s move
- RTÉ to show this month's Shamrock Rovers v Bohemians clash live
Most Read
- League of Ireland round-up: Webster’s late winner sees Harps stay on song while Gaffney saves a point for champions
- Dalymount Park revamp kicks off with €900,000 from Large Scale Sports Infrastructure Fund approved by government
- Three losses in a row for Dundalk as Bohs leave Oriel Park with a win
- The Harps' lament: How Donegal's League of Ireland club are battling against all odds
- Sligo Rovers set to part company with manager Gerard Lyttle
Latest
- Hideki Matsuyama clings on to claim Masters glory after a dramatic final round at Augusta
- ‘I feel like I’ve made an awful lot of stupid errors’ – Lowry rues ‘bad decisions’ as he clinches best Masters finish
- Pat Stacey reviews Smother: ‘Overstuffed subplots and the Three Worst Daughters in the World suffocate RTÉ’s Smother’
- Line of Duty: A rollercoaster ride with an edge-of-the-seat ending that leaves us desperate to know whose name is over the page
- Lacazette double helps Arsenal's Euro hopes as Blades edge nearer relegation