Finn Harps fightback twice to hold Derry City in pre-season opener

Max Hutchison headed in a late equaliser as Finn Harps held Derry City to a draw in their opening pre-season friendly of 2024.

Finn Harps 2 Derry City 2

Hutchison struck seven minutes from the end as Darren Murphy’s Harps twice came from behind against their Premier Division opponents.

Michael Duffy and Sean Patton had Derry in front early in each half, but Ryan Flood and Hutchison netted for Harps in what was a first home pre-season game for the club in 11 years.

Harps fell behind to an early goal from Michael Duffy, but Flood levelled five minutes before half-time. The Arizona man burst through the Derry rearguard and, via interchanges with Tony McNamee and Patrick Ferry, slammed high past Tadhg Ryan.

Flood arrived on a two-year deal from Phoenix Rising last January, but his immediate future at Finn Park remains shrouded in uncertainty. Flood has indicated a desire to play full-time football, but Harps have yet to receive a concrete offer for the 25-year-old.

Both sides made a glut of changes at the break, but Derry regained the advantage just two minutes after the re-start when Drumkeen native Patton - a former Harps Academy prospect who moved to the  Brandywell in 2022 - swept Paul McMullan’s cross past Oisin Cooney.

Irish underage international Cooney, a half-time replacement for Tim Hiemer, denied Ben Doherty with a fine one-handed save on the hour with Shane McEleney’s follow-up somehow kept out.

Success Edogun, Murphy’s new recruit from Treaty United, was named to start the game, but had to be replaced before kick-off as referee Michael Connolly would not permit the striker to take to the field wearing an earring.

There was a first appearance in Harps colours for David Cawley. The former Sligo Rovers captain has been added to give considerable experience to the roster.

Luke O’Donnell, a 16-year-old from Buncrana, was in the Derry engine room for the opening half, while former Harps player Sam Todd and Ciaran Coll started for the visitors, who left new striker Pat Hoban in reserve.

Derry hit the front after just five minutes when a neat move was polished off superbly by Duffy, who curled beyond Tim Hiemer to the bottom corner.

On 33 minutes, it took a brilliant save from Hiemer to prevent Derry from doubling the lead. The German stopper beat away Ben Doherty’s tester.

In between times, Ferry and Flood went close with Ferry subsequently riffling over the top after linking up with Flood.

After Patton put Derry back in command, McNamee slid wide at the Town End with a decent chance to restore parity, but Hutchison secured a share of the spoils in the 83rd minute. Edogun and Chris Lotefa - a loanee from Bohemians - combined and the latter’s cross was headed past Brian Maher by Hutchison.

Finn Harps: Tim Hiemer, Jamie Watson, Matthew Makinson, Noe Baba, Kevin Jordan; Aaron McLaughlin, Stephen Doherty, David Cawley, Ryan Flood; Tony McNamee; Patrick Ferry.  Subs: Ryan Rainey, Chris Lotefa, Success Edogun, Max Hutchison and Oisin Cooney for Ferry, Cawley, Doherty, Flood and Hiemer (half-time), Shane McMonagle and Sean O’Donnell for Baba and McLaughlin (64), Séamas Keogh, Darragh Coyle and Max Johnston for McNamee, Watson and Jordan (73)

Derry City: Tadhg Ryan; Conor Barr, Mark Connolly, Sam Todd, Ciaran Coll; Sadou Diallo, Luke O’Donnell; Paul McMullan, Michael Duffy, Ben Doherty, Danny Mullen. Subs: Brian Maher, Ronan Boyce, Shane McEleney, Cameron McJannett, Tiernan McGinty and Sean Patton for Ryan, Todd, Connolly, O’Donnell, Barr and Mullen (half-time), Patrick McEleney, Daithi McCallion, Ben McGonagle and O’Donnell (66) for Diallo, Coll, McMullan and Duffy (67).

Referee: Michael Connolly.