SSE Airtricity League Division One: Finn Harps 1 Galway United 2
Former Finn Harps manager Ollie Horgan was in the thick of things as he made a winning return to Finn Park as number two with Galway United.
The Tribesmen defeated a new-look Harps 2-1 in an absorbing first game of the new SSE Airtricity League Division One campaign.
But Horgan’s antics on the touchline rebounded on Galway manager John Caulfield, who was sent-off and who now faces an early season touchline ban.
It was rough justice on Caulfield as one of the yellow cards that he received was taken following protests from the Galway camp following a number of decisions by the officials.
A change in the rules means that it is now effectively the manager who must control what is happening on the bench, and immediately in front of it.
Asked to explain what had happened, Caulfield was diplomatic in his answer, explaining: “I got a yellow card because two of the lads behind me were standing up, so as the manager if your bench stands up the new rules say that you take the yellow card, even though I was totally innocent.”
Then, at half-time, he approached the officials about the debatable penalty that Harps had been awarded, and he was then issued with a second yellow card - leaving him to watch the second half away from the rain-lashed dug-out.
Caulfield, who is under pressure this season to get the Connacht side promoted, added: “I’m disappointed with that because that is not me. I don’t get involved anymore but unfortunately I had to watch the second half in the stand."
However, there was one upside. Caulfield, who became a legend as a player and manager with Cork City, quipped: “At least I was dry.”
Horgan, who parted company with Harps after the Donegal club got relegated last season, was back sooner than he would have thought at Finn Park, having become the number two at Eamonn Deacy Park in the close season.
Well known for his touchline outbursts and frequent run-ins with officials, Horgan was clearly ruffled by a number of decisions and made his views known, especially in the first half.
But it was Caulfield who took the hit.
Interestingly, new Harps boss Dave Rogers - who was previously the Nottingham Forest U21 manager - took the decision to swap the home and away dug-outs from last season. So Horgan actually found himself back in the one that he had been used to during his Harps’ days.
American Vince Borden was the hero for Galway with two goals on his debut.
In between, Ryan Rainey scored a penalty for the home side in an entertaining encounter before a crowd of 2,552.
Although it is a new-look Harps team - they had nine players making their debut - Caulfield reckons that as they gel they will improve.
“Give them six or seven games and when they settle down, Harps will be well in contention this season.”
Meanwhile, Rogers praised his young team. “I'm very proud. The boys gave maximum effort.”
Finn Harps: Heimer; McCallion, Cowan, Farrar; Porter, Rainey, Mashigo, Okutwe (Lynch, 50), Flood; Keogh (Da Silva, 70 mins); Harris (O’Donnell, 87 mins).
Galway United: Clarke; Horgan, Slevin, Brouder, Donelon; McCarthy (Nugent 81), Borden, McCormack; Manley (Hurley, 58 mins), Walsh (Lomboto, 89 mins), Manning (Rowe 89).
Referee: D Dunne (Dublin).
