Sean Patton hits debut goal as Finn Harps defeat Kerry

Teenager Sean Patton netted a debut goal as Finn Harps overcame Kerry at Finn Park on Thursday evening.

Patton's goal after 36 minuets proved the decisive strike as Harps returned to winning ways.

Harps had the lion's share of chances, but were unable to put the game out of Kerry's reach. One goal proved enough in the end for Darren Murphy's side.

The game ending on a sour note with an unseamly skirmish resulting in red cards being brandished by referee Glen Geraghty for Kerry player Kennedy Amechi - who had been replaced and was on the bench - Kerry manager Conor McCarthy and Harps coach Kevin McHugh.

Patton was handed his Harps debut, the 17-year-old from Drumkeen having been recruited on loan from Derry City earlier in the week. Patton has signed a three-year deal at Derry and the former Harps Academy prospect didn't take too long to announce his arrival.

Gavin McAteer – in for a first start just two days after his 16th birthday - turned his man and fed Patrick Ferry, whose pass sent Patton scampering into the Kerry penalty area.

With Aaron O'Sullivan advancing, Patton coolly picked his spot, slotting perfectly through the legs of the visiting 'keeper at the River End.

Success Edogun might have doubled the lead just before half-time, but he shot wide of the far post when well placed to connect with Ferry's pass.

Just after half-time, O'Sullivan beat away a shot from Ferry after a Patton cut-back handed him the chance.

Harps had a real let-off in the 20th minute when Ronan Teahan's blistering effort from 25 yards stung the base of Tim Hiemer's post. The clang of the goal-frame reverberated into the Ballybofey air.

A delightful pass from McAteer, one that belied the years of lad who has just completed the Junior Certificate, opened the possibilities for McAteer in the 27th minute, but O'Sullivan was out to save.

Soon, though, McAteer was involved in the move that led to the opening goal.

Due to the Euro 2024 quarter-finals on Friday, the entire League of Ireland fixture list was pulled back to Thursday and Harps had an early warning when Sean McGrath fired straight at Hiemer from distance.

At the other end, Harps went close after 18 minutes. O'Sullivan was out well to deny Edogun and Ferry's follow-up went to the wrong end of the target via a slight deflection.

From the resulting corner, Ferry flicked a header just off target from Tony McNamee's delivery.

McAteer was given his first outing from the start having impressed on recent appearances off the bench, while Kevin Jordan made his first appearance of 2024 after being sidelined with an injury sustained in pre-season.

Midfielder David Cawley was absent following the death of his father-in-law, for whom a minute's silence was held before the game, while Stephen Dohery and Max Johnston dropped to the bench.

Twelve minutes into the second half, a block from a defender took a goal-bound effort from Patton off its course before the same player was thwarted by the goalkeeper moments later.

Edogun was unable to get enough purchase behind an effort after surging in behind with 20 minutes to go and Noe Baba climbed well to meet a Jamie Watson cross ten minutes from the end, but headed at O'Sullivan.

Harps had a stream of chances with McAteer wide – so close to marking a big night with a goal - and Ferry finding O'Sullivan's hands as the clocked ticked.

Dominant as they might have been, Ryan Kelliher might well have snatched a draw, but his attempt from the edge of the area fizzed just past the post.

Harps, who welcomed Conor Tourish back from injury for a late cameo, had to make do with the one goal, but it proved enough.

Finn Harps: Tim Hiemer; Jamie Watson, Matthew Makinson, Noe Baba, Kevin Jordan (Stephen Doherty 75); Tony McNamee (Max Johnston 90+3), Ryan Rainey; Success Edogun, Gavin McAteer (Conor Tourish 90), Patrick Ferry (Max Hutchison 90+3); Sean Patton.

Kerry: Aaron O'Sullivan; Samuel Aladesanusi, Andrew Spain, Ethan Kos, Sean O'Connell; Daire McCarthy, Ronan Teahan (Graham O'Reilly 78); Nathan Gleeson (Cian Brosnan 72), Sean McGrath, Kennedy Amechi (Daniel Okwute h-t); Ryan Kelliher.

Referee: Glen Geraghty.