Finn Harps bowed out of this season’s EA Sports Cup after a 1-0 defeat to Sligo Rovers, however the result was very much an after-thought following the injuries to Packie Mailey, BJ Banda and goalkeeper Harry Doherty.
Striker BJ Banda was taken off in the first half and taken away in an ambulance after suffering a knee ligament injury, while goalkeeper Harry Doherty and defender Packie Mailey were removed to Letterkenny University Hospital after a clash of heads.
That incident involving Doherty and Mailey resulted in a 25-minute stoppage and there were distressing scenes as the players were treated. Mailey was able to walk back to the clubhouse, but Doherty lay on the turf as medics attended to him.
Harps boss Ollie Horgan looked visibly distressed on the sidelines as Doherty was being assessed.
Both players were taken by ambulance to be assessed, though they were said by club officials to have been conscious and alert.
Doherty’ girlfriend later posted the above photograph on Twitter to the delight of all Harps fans, and the football community as a whole.
On the field Matthew Stevens header in extra-time proved to be the winner, and the Bitored now move on to the quarter-finals.
The club also sent a message of support to the injured Finn Harps players;