Finn Harps boss Darren Murphy: 'We played well and got our just rewards'

As the missed chances racked up, Darren Murphy got a pang of déjà vu.

Debut boy Sean Patton's goal proved to be the only goal of the game as Finn Harps defeated Kerry on Thursday evening.

Harps ought to have had a rather more straightforward passage to the final whistle, but passed up several good openings to add to Patton's 36^th minute goal.

“It felt a wee bit like in the Longford game and it was like it was going to be déjà vu, but this time we were able to hold on,” Murphy said.

“After the first 15 minutes, we bossed the game. We were the better team for the last 75 minutes.

“We made it a bit uncomfortable for ourselves at the end because we missed three really good chances and 1-0 is always a dangerous score.”

Harps let a 1-0 lead slip in Longford the previous week in a 1-1 draw, but Harps managed to keep the sheet clean here.

Murphy said: “The boys battled extremely hard and it's nice to get a clean sheet. It would've been good to get the second goal to make things a wee bit easier, but we don't do things the easy way.

“We're delighted with the three points. We have played well and got our just rewards.”

Striker Patton was handed a starting berth having arrived on loan from Derry City and the 17-year-old from Drumkeen gave an instant repayment, slotting home the match winner in the first half.

“When we heard that there was a chance of Sean coming here, I knew it would be a good fit for us as a team,” Murphy said.

“It was always going to be a comfortable and easy fit. Like all centre-forwards, he wants goals and he was able to get one tonight. It was a really well worked goal. It was a great run by him and a great finish. I'm delighted for Sean.”

Harps also saw Kevin Jordan play his first game of the season with the Buncrana man playing 73 minutes. Jordan suffered an injury in pre-season.

Murphy said: “It has been a long way back for Kevin. He has worked extremely hard. He has put the work in. It has been tough on him and we're delighted to have him back.”

Conor Tourish also returned for a late appearance off the bench – his first game in two months.

“It was great to get Conor onto the pitch,” Murphy said.

“We all know what Conor can bring to us. We have seen that in the games that he has been involved in. It's a matter of getting him games now. That was like signing a new player in the window. I'm delighted to have him back.”