From Behind The Nets Finn Harps FC Ballybofey Co Donegal

Derry City 2 - 0 Finn Harps

Torrential rain and torrential abuse were the order of the day for this eircom League Cup group game on Tuesday. An understrength Harps fell to a two goal defeat against Derry in a wet and windy Brandywell as a familiar Derry face took over the reins of his old rivals.

Felix Healy had his first game in charge less than 24 hours after been given the job and he won't get it much tougher than he did against against his former employers. He was booed, jeered and generally abused throughout much of a forgettable 90 minutes of football, at half-time and once again at full-time.

Harps started without the backbone of their normal first eleven with Declan Boyle (groin), Tom Mohan (hamstring) and Kevin McHugh (flu) all being rested. Niall Bonner started the game on the bench although he replaced Charlie McCormick on the left after half an hour and did well giving Harps more options in what is his best position.

The makeshift team though were very fortunate not to be three goals down in the first 15 minutes as the defence looked extremely shaky early on. Only poor finishing from Martyn and Hargan kept the scores level but the latter then put his side ahead on 19 minutes after being played through by Gareth McGlynn. The Harps back four looked on as the Donegal native cut in from the right and laid the ball off to Hargan who finished well.

Harps had more possession after the goal and played reasonably okay going forward but Derry looked like they could score from every attack as they waltzed through a midfield minus the influential Mohan.

Chris Breen

The second half was better for the Harps side although they still failed to really trouble Jennings in the Derry goal with Chrissy Breen and Ross Connolly working hard up-front against the giant frame of Clive Delaney.

Eloka Asokuh was taken off with a leg injury and the defence had to re-jig once again. Martin Ferry then lost possession to Ciaran Martyn at the edge of his area and the ex-UCD man fed the ball through to Hargan who drove a low shot past Gallagher.

There was still twenty minutes left on the clock but that effectively ended any Harps hopes of getting anything from the game. So it ended, Healy's first game in a defeat to Harps fierce rivals and Derry won't get it much easier against the Donegalmen.

What will have pleased the travelling Harps support on a wet and windy night was the performance of the younger players that don't normally get a look-in - with Breen, Connolly, McGowan and especially Crossan all doing well.

FINN HARPS: James Gallagher, Eloka Asokuh, Martin Ferry, Shane Bradley, Jonathan Minnock, Paddy McGrenaghan, Sean McGowan, Gary Crossan, Ross Connolly, Chrissy Breen, Charlie McCormack. Subs: Niall Bonner for McCormick 31 mins, Lloyd for Asokuh 56 mins, Michael Funston, Darren McElwaine, Gavin Cullen.

Referee: Damien Hancock (Dublin)