Super sub Joel Bradley-Walsh rescues a late point for Finn Harps

Joel Bradley-Walsh rescued a dramatic point for Finn Harps in Kevin McHugh’s first game as manager.

Ballybofey man Bradley-Walsh netted in the 96th minute to earn a share of the spoils - just when it seemed as if Aaron Doran’s first-half free kick was set to deny McHugh.

Harps were reduced to 10 men in the 66th minute when Kevin Jordan was sent off, but they rallied in a frenetic finish to earn a point - and might well have taken all three. 

The hopes around Finn Park lifted when the board of fourth official Paul McLaughlin showed 12 minutes of added time at the end 

Three minutes into that time, Longford ‘keeper Harry Halwax superbly saved from Harps sub Aaron McLaughlin whose well struck shot looked to be dipping just beneath the crossbar at the Town End. 

Moments later, Tony McNamee delivered the cross and Bradley-Walsh - who came on as a sub in the 76th minute - headed home, the decibel level in the old ground rising considerably to acclaim the 24-year-old’s first senior goal.

Ferry might have won it but shot wide and Harps piled the pressure on with Halwax needing to be at full stretch to save from Dara McGuinness as the clock ticked towards its conclusion.

Longford came to Donegal lifted by a fine 2-0 win over Treaty United. Doran bagged the first goal in that win for the Midlanders and he also obliged here with the opener.

The chance was presented when Conor Tourish was deemed to have fouled Daragh Murtagh on the edge of the Harps box. 

After a four-minute stoppage to allow for treatment to referee Oliver Moran - who took the full force of an attempted clearance in the face - Doran curled beyond a six-man Harps wall and past the reach of ‘keeper David Aziaya from just inside the D.

Harps had started well, forcing a couple of early corners but without really troubling Harry Halwax in the visiting goal. 

The Harps team showed two changes from the side that overcame Athlone last week with Gavin McAteer and Gavin Gilmore coming in from the of and Joel Thompson and Patrick Ferry making way.

Harps almost nicked an equaliser in the final minute of the first half, but Max Hutchison headed off the far post after climbing to meet a Kevin Jordan free kick. 

Five minutes into the second half, Conor Tourish headed against a post when he connected to a Gavin McAteer free. Harps piled on the pressure and David Cawley’s deflected shot was miraculously cleared off the goal line by Eric Yoro. 

After 186 goals in 438 appearances for Harps as a player, McHugh’s appointment stirred the Harps support this week following his instalment the successor to Darren Murphy.

However, he must wait for his debut in the dugout, as he serves a touchline suspension following a sending off in the closing stages of the 1-1 draw at UCD last month

In the absence of McHugh - who watched from the top tier of the tv gantry - Harps had Tommy Canning and Russell Porter directing matters from the technical area..

Murphy has since been installed as the manager of Irish League side Loughgall, but was among the attendance here and his former side upped the ante on the hour mark, Halwax saving from Cawley’s low effort. 

Jordan saw red in the 66th minute for a bad challenge on Osaze Irhue, who left the pitch on a stretcher following a lengthy stoppage.

Longford seemed set to hold on, but Bradley-Walsh had other ideas in a rousing finale. 

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Finn Harps: David Aziaya; Mikey Place (Joel Bradley-Walsh 76) , Max Hutchison, Conor Tourish, Kevin Jordan; David Cawley (Aaron McLaughlin 83), Tony McNamee; Gavin Gilmore (Gradi Lomboto 76), Gavin McAteer, Gavin Hodgins (Patrick Ferry 60); Dara McGuinness.

Longford Town: Harry Halwax; Osaze Irhue (Etoile Milongo), Oisin Hand, Aaron Walsh, Dean O’Shea; Eric Yoro; Josh Giurgi (Francis Campbell 64), Aaron Doran (Emmanuel James 85), Emre Topcu, Mohammed Bodiaf (Dean George 64); Daragh Murtagh (Andrew Spain 85).

Referee: Oliver Moran.