Dunne disappointed at dropping points away to Harps

Finn Harps 1

Galway FC 1

It was a measure of what an encouraging night this was for Galway FC that team manager Tommy Dunne left Ballybofey more concerned about the two points dropped against Finn Harps than what looked like an admirable draw at the home of the First Division leaders.

The harsh dismissal of winger Derek O’Brien after just 26 minutes seemed to leave the Airtricity League’s newest club facing a mammoth task – instead, they left Finn Park full of regrets that they had not managed to hang on for what would have been a stunning victory, after Vinny Faherty scored the club’s first goal in the league to give them a first-half lead.

“We did okay with the 10 men, even though we had to drop that little bit deeper. We didn’t concede a huge amount of chances, so from that aspect we are a tad disappointed. We know it’s a difficult venue to come to and, in fairness, Finn Harps were the form team in the division at the time,” Dunne told Sentinel Sport.

“From that side of things, it’s a pleasing outcome in a sense but, overall, we are a bit disappointed that we didn’t pick up the three points. We never really looked like we were going to be opened up. To be honest, we were going in after the game a little bit disappointed that we didn’t pick up the three points.”

Inevitably, O’Brien’s red card after a seemingly innocuous challenge was the main talking point on the night. It surprised everyone in the 600-strong attendance.

“I’ve asked the referee what the red card was for. Basically, he said our player had used foul and abusive language to the opposing player. Now I will be straight and honest with you, if you were to do that in every situation there would be nobody left on the pitch,” said Dunne.

He felt Galway would have caused Harps more problems if O’Brien had not been sent off, as the visitors had dominated the opening exchanges.

“I don’t think there are any issues from our side with regards to belief, with regards to what we can and cannot do. We just need to start picking up a few wins, because that’s three draws on the bounce now and not a huge amount of goals scored, albeit we haven’t conceded much,” he said.

“Listen, we will get it right. It will come good. We just don’t want to be out of the picture too early, but it’s a long season ahead. From our side of things, I would say to our supporters that this group will come good and they will have something they can be proud of. That’s for sure.”