Ryan returns to action for Harps

John Corless

FINN HARPS surprised St Pat’s 3-1 in Ballybofey on Friday night for their third Airtricity Premier Division win in a row in a match expertly handled by referee Damien McGrath from North Mayo.
The Dublin side were hoping to go level with Shamrock Rovers at the top of the table, but Tende Owolabi’s hat-trick put an end to that, for this week at least.
The Belgian, whose journey to Finn Park included stop-overs at many non-League British clubs, joined Harps in March. The win moves the Donegal side to 29 points, two more that Dundalk and one more that Waterford, crucial steps on the road to Premier Division safety.
Ballyglass man, Ryan Connolly, had a solid game for Harps.
“We try and get three points in every game, especially when we are at home,” Ryan told The Mayo News after the match. “Pats are going well, but we’re going well too and we controlled the game.” This was Ryan’s second full match after a twenty-one game absence through injury, and like against Longford last week, he was pleased to play the full 90 minutes.  
“It was great to be on the pitch. Two games in a row now and two wins as well. This was a good hard-working team performance, we all put in a shift. Our plan now is to try and keep winning. Like every team, we go out to win every game and we want to finish as high as we can in the table.”
With only seven points between the relegation play-off spot and the European qualification spots at the other end of the table, Connolly is correct when he says there’s a lot to play for in between. It would seem Shamrock Rovers at the top, and Longford Town at the bottom will hold on to their positions, but anything could happen in between.
Harps are managed by colourful Galway native, Ollie Horgan.
“He’s a brilliant manager,” Ryan says. “He is a fantastic man-manager, and with the coaching staff they do unbelievable preparation for each match. We prepare all week for the next opponents. They do very detailed analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the opposition and they give us loads of options on how to take them on and where to get at them.”
After such a long lay-off, Ryan is naturally anxious to stay fit for the remainder of the season and stay in the team.
After their fine win over Shelbourne last week, Galway United were hoping for a good result in the Premier Division at Athlone on Friday – especially given that the Midlanders were in meltdown these past couple of months.
I was speaking with Danny Broderick, the Galway coach, after the Shels game and we discussed Galway’s upcoming fixture against Athlone; one that they should have won easily, going on current form.
“Wait until you see, now,” Danny said. “Athlone will replace their manager before our game, and the new boss will give them a bounce.”
Exactly as Danny predicted, Athlone parted company with their manager Adrian Carberry during the week, and brought in the experienced Paul Doolin. And Athlone beat Galway 1-0.
Maybe I should ask Danny for the Lotto numbers!