Finn Harps (H)

[culloty82]

With Donegal and Kerry set to meet in Croke Park in nine days time, it seems appropriate timing for their respective soccer clubs to renew rivalries. Both sides come into the game on the back of three consecutive draws, but the Ballybofey outfit previously defeated UCD, while the Kingdom still await their first victory of 2026, despite taking the lead in four of their previous five matches. Kerry appear to have a relatively clean bill of health, with only long-term absentees Bargary and Kelliher still on the sidelines, while Conor Tourish will be the major attacking threat for Harps. Traditionally, there's been little to separate the sides over the years, but any victory could potentially propel Kerry into mid-table.

[legendz]

The long and the short of it is Kerry need to win. The experience players are supposed to be able to manage these game situations. The amount of leads thrown away has to be sorted. Tonight is the next opportunity to put that right.

[listowelceltic]

A win is a win I suppose but how we got away with the points I don't know. Dreadful last 20 especially. Inability to keep the ball when under pressure is shocking. Substitutes made no impact on flow of game. Surprised with Luke he looked legless when came on. Normally full of energy.
Mcgrath and Halwax in particular impressed for me. Murphy gave everything as usual and deserved his goal.
Anyone know what Bordens second yellow was for. Dissent or the tackle?

[nigel-harps1954]

A win is a win I suppose but how we got away with the points I don't know. Dreadful last 20 especially. Inability to keep the ball when under pressure is shocking. Substitutes made no impact on flow of game. Surprised with Luke he looked legless when came on. Normally full of energy.
Mcgrath and Halwax in particular impressed for me. Murphy gave everything as usual and deserved his goal.
Anyone know what Bordens second yellow was for. Dissent or the tackle?

Seemed to be the tackle, watching on LOITV. Referee was awful though, threw cards around like confetti all night and repeatedly blew fouls for very soft tackles.

[listowelceltic]

Referee was shocking. Wanted to be centre of everything. Constantly blowing the whistle for stupid stuff. Game was not dirty but players were throwing themselves down with any contact because it was a certain free kick . Spoiled the game. I'd love to know what them referee inspectors taking notes in the stand are looking at.

[legendz]

I think Borden's first yellow card was soft early in the game. I suspected after that there'd be at least one red last night.
The good spells Harps had in the first half and early in the second half was impressive from a side who are supposed to be down some key players. After throwing the kitchen sink at it late on, they'll have been kicking themselves for not taking a point.
I thought Cian Murphy was on a yellow and spared a second yellow for possibly kicking the ball away. If that was the case, usually the player might be hauled off. I thought it might prompt RK being introduced but not to be last night.

[Zico]

A win is a win for sure. Small crowd again last night -498, is it because of the football we play which is not a good watch or the ever decreasing amount of local players (only 2 starting last night) that is turning people away. Average is down nearly 20% on last years average so far (appreciate home games against cork city will help it), but club needs to do more to improve match day experience and attract a better crowd!!

[legendz]

Small crowd alright. So many games without a win prior to last night, a poor brand of football and decreasing local representation can't be helping. I know there are ambitions but they need to bring the community with them. Not sure any of the new signings have endeared themselves to supporters so far. Harder to identify with a team when there are so many changes from year to year.
Cork won't visit until May. By then they'll want a packed house for that one and a good performance plus result on the park, to get a bigger support on board and behind what they might be trying to achieve.