A James Morrow goal in the 86th minute could yet prove to be a golden strike in Finn Harps' battle for survival in the Premier Division. Finn Harps threatened for long periods and wasted chance after chance before eventually grabbing the winner in this bottom of the table clash at Buckley Park last night.
The win means Harps have closed the gap on UCD to three points in the league and the teams still have to play each other.
In some ways this was a very strange game. Kilkenny might have scored two or three goals during the opening half, but Harps might have scored even more afterwards.
The deciding score came when Fergal Harkin put Morrow through on the right and he held his nerve when all alone and finished smartly from 14 yards.
Harps should have opened their account in the 72nd minute but after Harkin put the ball past the goalkeeper, defender Robbie Brunton booted it away to safety.
The Kilkenny goalkeeper Matt Nelson deprived Kevin McHugh and Ray Kenny in quick succession in the 80th minute before Shane Bradley failed to take full advantage of a free header shortly afterwards.
KILKENNY CITY: Nelson; O'Hanlon, Brunton, Brennna, Mulcahy, Johnson, Purdy, McGrath, Rocha, O'Byrne, Jackson. Subs: O'Neill for Jackson 59 mins, Murphy for Johnson 77 mins.
FINN HARPS: D Bradley; Kenny, Minnock, Fitzhenry, S Bradley, McGrenaghan, Mohan, Kenny, Morrow, McHugh, Harkin. Subs: Speake for McHugh 74 mins, Scanlon for Fitzhenry 88 mins.
Referee: J O'Neill (Waterford).
