Finn Harps 1 – 0 Treaty United
By Stuart Connolly at Finn Park
Finn Harps now have the play-off picture firmly in their sight after a narrow win against Treaty United at Finn Park.
Tommy Barrett’s side are now just one point ahead in the standings after their fourth defeat in five games.
Hans Mpongo scored his fifth for the club, and it was the only goal of the contest as Harps recorded their third straight win in the league.
Before the match commenced, wreaths were carried out by the captains of each side. Tom Mohan, representing the FAI and also a Finn Harps legend, also placed a wreath on the centre circle as Finn Park erupted in applause in remembrance of Ollie Horgan.
The Galway Native took over Finn Harps in 2013, and went above and beyond the call of duty more often than not during his nine year stay. At the end of that spell which will take its rightful place in the history books, Horgan answered the call from John Caulfield, and took up the assistant manager’s role at Galway United.
Kevin McHugh, who played under Horgan for a couple of seasons, made two changes for their third home game on the spin as Michael Place and Kieran Cooney were welcomed back into the side.
While Lee Devitt had the first opportunity of the match, it was Harps who set the early pace and a low ball across the six-yard box signalled some intent, although there was no-one to prod home the chance created by Kieran Cooney.
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Finn Harps continued to have more of the possession, however, a clear sight of goal was elusive, but only for a short period.
Former Harps player Patrick Ferry was the lone striker for Treaty United, and looked set to unleash at goal until a timely intervention from Max Hutchison, which proved to be crucial, as Harps took the lead a few minutes later. Tony McNamee played a short pass to Idir Zerrouk, and his ball over the top enabled Hans Mpongo to take just a couple of touches before a finish, which just clipped the gloves of Matthew Boylan.
Finn Harps v Treaty United FC. North West Newspix
A rushed effort from McNamee followed, while Hutchison was just a whisker away from converting a precise cross by Mpongo shortly before the halftime whistle.
Just prior to the break, Treaty United went close. Ferry lost the one-on-one battle with Lorenzo Barbosa, but the ball rolled in his favour and allowed him to set-up Lee Devitt, who rifled his shot narrowly over the bar.
Barbosa came out on top again at the start of the second half, this time to deny Evan O’Connor from close-range.
Just after the hour, Treaty United were shown a red card, but it wasn’t a player. On the cusp of lifting the ball for a throw-in on the halfway line, Tommy Barrett needlessly prodded it away from McNamee, and Ryan Maher went straight for his back pocket.
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As the match crept over the midway stage of the second half, Treaty United began to cause an issue or two. Plenty of whipped crosses into the box meant a very busy spell for the defence, while Barbosa was also called upon to tip an effort from Joseph Hanson onto the post.
Nine minutes of added time ensured a nervous finish for the spectators, especially when a strike from Mark Byrne fizzed millimetres wide of the target, but that proved to be the last action of note as Harps held on.
Finn Harps: Lorenzo Barbosa; Michael Place, Conor Tourish, Joel Bradley-Walsh, Kieran Cooney; Oran Brogan, Max Hutchison, Tony McNamee, Idir Zerrouk(Josh Cullen 77), Gradi Lomboto(Gavin McAteer 70); Hans Mpongo(Aaron McLaughlin 85).
Treaty United: Matthew Boylan; Richkov Boevi, Benjamin Lynch, Evan O’Connor, Robbie Lynch; Lee Devitt(Darren Nwankwo 90), Colin Conroy, Fionn Doherty(Mark Byrne 58), Conor Wilson(Eoin Martin 73), Benjamin Lee(Joseph Hanson 73); Patrick Ferry.
Referee: Ryan Maher
Finn Harps inch closer to playoffs after poignant home victory was last modified: August 29th, 2025 by Staff Writer
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