FINN HARPS................1
GALWAY UNITED........3

THE focus of attention switches to Premier Division survival for Finn Harps manager Gavin Dykes and his players this week after the dream of FAI Cup success evaporated into the still night air at Finn Park on Saturday last.

Bidding to reach the semi finals of the Blue Riband competition for the third year in succession, Harps were second best in all facets of play against a Galway United team who emerged as deserving winners.Tactically naive both on and off the field Harps were three goals down to Don O'Riordan's young charges before they finally stirred themselves into action midway through the second half.

While the Harps boss insisted afterwards that the club will survive the drop his confidence was not shared by the majority of those present at Finn Park.Dykes has been successful in restoring the hard work ethic among his playing staff since taking over as team boss from Charlie McGeever but enthusiasm alone will not get Finn Harps out of the precarious position they now find themselves in.

When the going got tough on Saturday night Harps lacked the wherewithal to change things around as O'Riordan watched on quietly from the Galway dug out pulling the relevant strings to ensure that his game plan fell into place.

To be fair, Jonathan Speak has only recently taken on the job of assistant manager at Finn Park while his boss (Dykes) continues to play at centre half but nothing comes easy in the National League.With just seven League matches to play the Harps boss and all involved at Finn Park are in for a few nervy weeks.

Dykes was forced to make one change to the team beaten last time out against Shelbourne. With Fergal Harkin suspended Shane Bradley joined Dykes and club captain Declan Boyle in a 3.5.2 formation.The home side adapted better to the difficult underfoot conditions early on with Patrick McGrenaghan and James Mulligan going close but it was Galway who opened the scoring with their first chance of note on twenty minutes.

Central midfield player Michael Keane picked up possession thirty yards out and unleashed a ferocious shot which completely deceived Brian McKenna in the Harps goal.Within four minutes James Mulligan, Harps best performer on the night, raced clear onto Bradley's long clearance but his attempted chip was too close to Galway Ôkeeper Eddie Hickey.

The visitors worked a number of intricate set piece routines on the night and Keane had McKenna scampering across his goal from one such effort on thirty minutes.Almost immediately Jonathan Minnock flashed a left foot shot into the side netting at the other end of the field following some neat approach play from McGrenaghan.

Galway doubled their advantage four minutes before the interval with one of the finest goals seen at Finn Park in quite some time. Awarded a free kick twenty yards out Ollie Keogh nonchalantly curled a right foot shot over the wall and into the top corner of the net over Dykes who had been guarding the Ôkeepers left hand post.

A goal worthy of winning any match, it was one which gave the Galway camp particular delight coming as it did straight from the training ground.Mulligan came close to giving Harps a lifeline on 53 minutes but his exquisite chipped effort from the edge of the penalty area was brilliantly tipped away to safety by Hickey.

Central defender Kieran Foley, who played in attack in the corresponding league match at Finn Park, capitalised on a mistake from Declan Boyle to put Michael Donnellan through but Dykes got back in time to block his attempted effort.

The visitors introduced David Goldbey for Donnellan on 57 minutes and within ten minutes Galway had added a third goal. The substitute's lobbed pass deceived Boyle as it landed softly on the Finn Park sand allowing Eric Lavine to nip in and round McKenna before slotting into an empty net.

A mistake by Scott Morgan put Mulligan in behind the Galway defence on 68 minutes and his precise cross was volleyed home by Mike Turner from close range.The goal lifted the spirits of the home crowd and with Bradley now playing alongside Mulligan and Turner in attack Harps laid siege on the Galway goal.

Michael Keane played six members of the Harps team on side on 70 minutes but with the Tom Mohan hesitating at the vital moment the Galway player was afforded the opportunity to make up for his error.

While there were plenty of blue shirts pushed forward during those closing minutes there was little or no method to their madness as nobody appeared to know what to do with possession when the ball arrived at their feet.Declan Boyle headed over after Dykes had flicked on a Johnny Kenny corner before Jonathan Speak was introduced for McGrenaghan six minutes from time but it was a case of too little too late.

Victory was sweet for Galway who had lost to Harps in the Cup in 1998 and Ô99. A quick look at recent results tells its own story. Galway have lost once in their last eleven games while Harps have won just once in their last twelve league outings.

'Beating Harps away in the League was a turning point in our season. We're a lot more confident in our abilities now and that's reflected in our results,' said O'Riordan afterwards.'There will be changes against UCD next week. That was simply not good enough,' Dykes lamented afterwards.

FINN HARPS: McKenna, Bradley, Minnock, Boyle, Dykes, Tierney, Mohan, McGrenaghan, Mulligan, Turner, Kenny. Sub: Speak for McGrenaghan (78 mins).
GALWAY UNITED: Hickey, Neary, Morgan, O'Connor, Foley, Sheridan, Keane, Keogh, Lavine, Donnellan, Gorman. Subs:Goldbey for Donnellan (57 mins), Cleary for Gorman (78 mins) and Ogden for Keane (83 mins).
REFEREE: Mr John McDermott (Dublin).