Finn Harps hammered by Galway United

Runaway SSE Airtricity League First Division leaders Galway United put Finn Harps to the sword at Eamonn Deacy Park.

Galway United 6-0 Finn Harps

Darren Clarke, Killian Brouder, Stephen Walsh and Maurice Nugent scored in the opening 20 minutes to put the home side 4-0 in front, with Rob Manley and David Hurley netting after the break to complete the rout.

The defeat leaves the Ballybofey club bottom but one in the division and their start could barely have been worse. Galway the front on just four minutes when former Harps full-back Regan Donelon provided the assist for Clare to volley past Tim Oliver Hiemer.

Brouder made it two on 11 minutes when he tapped home from close in following a Clarke centre and then on 16 was 3-0, with Walsh powerfully heading home a corner from Conor McCormack.

Harps were at sixes and sevens and on 20 minutes, Galway score again. This time it was Nugent who got a head on another corner from McCormack to make it four. Eight minutes into the second half, Manley steered a fifth and then a minute from time, before Hurley completed the scoring from the penalty spot after Hiemer took down Francely Lomboto. Substitute Vince Borden headed off the Harps post in injury time.

Galway United: Brendan Clarke; Killian Brouder, Regan Donelon (Oisin O'Reilly 71), Maurice Nugent, Evan O'Connor; Darren Clarke (Francely Lomboto 64), David Hurley, Edward McCarthy (Mikie Rowe 71), Conor McCormack (Vincent Borden 46); Rob Manley, Stephen Walsh (Steven Healy 64).
Finn Harps: Tim Hiemer; Noe Baba, Keith Cowan (Sean O'Kane 83), Ryan Flood, Seamas Keogh (Damian Duffy 34), Shane McMonagle; Michael Harris, Katlego Mashigo (Kevin Jordan, half-time), Daithi McCallion, Sean O'Donnell; Filip da Silva (Max Johnston 83).
Referee: Adriano Reale.