Patrick Ferry strikes late to earn Finn Harps dramatic draw with Athlone Town

Patrick Ferry rescued a point for Finn Harps with a dramatic 88th minute equaliser to deny Athlone Town on Bank Holiday Monday at Finn Park.

Gideon Tetteh's 70th minute goal – his third in four games - stood between the sides and seemed as if it would be enough to seal victory.

Two minutes from the end, Gavin McAteer, the 15-year-old from Milford sent on for his first senior appearance at Finn Park, whipped in the cross and Ferry applied the finish.

The Gweedore man nodded home in front of a delighted Town End for his second goal of the season.

Ferry could – and, maybe, should – have won it, but Enda Minogue saved with his legs three minutes into added time.

Tetteh, on loan at Athlone from Shamrock Rovers, scored his third goal in four games to give the visitors the lead.

Divine Izekor got past Luke O'Brien and squared for Tetteh. His first touch teed up the shot and the 19-year-old's effort was just out of reach for Tim Hiemer.

Dean Ebbe should have copper fastened the win in the 76th minute but, running onto a pass from Jamar Campion-Hinds, Ebbe shot over the top.

Ebbe atoned for the miss when he headed off the line from Jamie Watson's powerful volley, but Ferry's header would seal a share of the spoils.

But for the heroics of goalkeeper Hiemer, Harps' resistance would have been broken beforehand.

The German net-minder, restored to the starting line-up, made a hat-trick of big saves to keep Athlone at bay until, finally, Tetteh found a way.

A wonder save by Hiemer kept Athlone from breaking the deadlock in the 10^th minute. Daniel McKenna seemed certain to fire home from eight yards, but Hiemer defied the odds with a superb save at close range.

Harps scrambled momentarily and, with Noah van Geenan pouncing on the loose ball, the hosts managed to clear the danger.

Hiemer pulled off another big stop in the 36th minute. Dylan Hand hung in the Ballybofey air having climbed to meet Brian Torre's corner. Hiemer flew out to his right and turned away Hand's goal-bound header.

The Harps number 1 was at it again six minutes into the second half. Hiemer batted over the crossbar when a dangerous cross from Amardo Oakley hit off Matthew Makinson and was destined for the net only for Hiemer's intervention.

Hiemer missed Harps' previous outings through injury, but the former Borussia Monchengladbach youth was in from the off here. Ferry, Ryan Rainey and Aaron McLaughlin were also promoted with Conor Walsh, Success Edogun, Max Johnston and Stephen Doherty making way.

Harps showed good promise at times, but were unable to trouble Minogue, the Athlone 'keeper, during the first half.

Athlone came to the Twin Towns unbeaten in their previous nine games.

Dario Castelo's side handed Cork City their first loss of 2024 on Friday night and confidence was surely high as they left Lissywollen on Monday afternoon. Ebbe's goal against Harps on April 12 kick-started a super run of form for the Shannonsiders.

Captain Oisin Duffy, Shane Forbes and Daniel McKenna came into the starting XI as Castelo made three switches. El Salvador international German Fuentes was among those to miss out.

Late in the opening half, Campion-Hinds – who scored the winner against Cork three days earlier – shot wide.

Four minutes after the restart, Sean O'Donnell – who bagged the only goal of the game in Friday's win over Wexford - picked up possession, left his man for dead and made ground before unleashning an effort that flew off target.

Harps went close in the 57th minute. Luke O'Brien floated an inviting cross into the penalty area. Ferry got his forehead in ahead of the fingertips of Athlone 'keeper Enda Minogue, but his flicked header clipped the top of the crossbar.

Ferry had sight of an opener 11 minutes later but, off balance, he volleyed wide.

Barely a minute later, Athlone were off in celebration after Tetteh broke the stalemate and, try as they might, Harps couldn't get back on level terms.

With Harps followers growing increasingly anxious, Ferry popped up with the dramatic equaliser

Harps make the long trip to St Colman's Park to face Cobh Ramblers on Friday night.

Finn Harps: Tim Hiemer; Jamie Watson, Noe Baba, Matthew Makinson, Luke O'Brien; David Cawley (Gavin McAteer 82), Ryan Rainey; Sean O'Donnell (Max Johnston 82), Tony McNamee, Aaron McLaughlin (Success Edogun 60); Patrick Ferry.

Athlone Town: Enda Minogue; Amardo Oakley, Noah van Geenan, Dylan Hand, Brian Torre; Daniel McKenna, Oisin Duffy; Jamara Camption-Hinds, Shane Forbes (Divine Izekor 55), Gideon Tetteh (Roscoe Rubinstein 90+3); Dean Ebbe.

Referee: Daryl Carolan.