Results business for Tommy Canning as Finn Harps pick up another win

Finn Harps coach Tommy Canning says that getting a result was all that mattered after Friday night’s win over Athlone Town.

Goals from Conor Tourish and Hans Mpongo put the hosts 2-0 up and while Dean Williams got one back, Athlone never threatened to level the game.

The Harps put in a controlled performance, and while Canning wasn’t overly pleased with their actual performance on the night getting the win was all that mattered to the coach.

“They are a different type of opponent than we’ve played in the last two weeks and that seemed to unsettle us a bit,” Canning said after the match.

“Athlone play 4-4-2 which is not seen much anymore and they’re quite direct with pace at the top end.

“Before we scored (Ben) Feeney had a couple of chances so they carried a threat but I think once we scored, it settled us and once we got the second we were in control.

“Their goal scared us a bit but I don’t think Lorenzo (Piaia) had a save to make after that.

“Many times before and not that long ago we’ve been 2-0 up and come away with a point which would have been disastrous.”

The win leaves the Harps four points off the play-offs behind Treaty United, who lost 7-0 to Dundalk on Friday.

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And the Limerick club, with just one win in their last ten league games, are up to Finn Park next Friday in what will be a huge game for Kevin McHugh’s side.

“We’re into the last nine games of the season and with the results (this weekend) then we have an outside chance of doing something in the run in and it’s all about getting points.

“I don’t think we played well in particular but we’ll take the three points and move on.”