This snapshot in time was taken on 6 November 2015 and is the most remembered game for the current generation of Finn Harps supporters. The photo showing the scenes of celebration after B.J. Banda’s goal. The picture is courtesy of Sportsfile and was taken by Oliver McVeigh.
You may recall that game. Harps had finished in second place in the First Division title in Ollie Horgan’s second season in charge. As a result, Harps had qualified for the play-off series to determine promotion/relegation. Harps had beaten third placed U.C.D. in the semi-final of the play-off by three goals to one on aggregate, winning both matches.
Limerick had finished second bottom of the Premier Division despite a good run of form from August that season, where they won seven games and drew two of their last twelve fixtures. In the first leg in Limerick, Killybegs man Shaun Kelly was playing for the home side and scored what turned out to be the winner.
Harps started the second leg in determined fashion in front of a capacity crowd of 3,200 people including a sizeable travelling contingent from the city on the banks of the River Shannon. Harps equalled the scores on thirty-eight minutes through Mickey Funston when he beat the keeper to the ball on the edge of the box to turn it home.
Both sides had chances to score more goals, but, as the game wore on it looked more and more like the game was going to penalties. The game went into extra-time and still it looked like the deadlock wasn’t going to broken. With three minutes to go Damien McNulty crossed from the right hand side but the ball was cleared by the Limerick defence. McNulty won the ball back and crossed for substitute B.J. Banda to head home the goal that ensured promotion for Finn Harps.
Billy Junior Banda joined Harps from Letterkenny Rovers, playing mainly with the under 19 side before breaking into the first team squad. He had four seasons at Finn Park but never established himself in the first team. He returned for another season in 2023 before leaving for Institute. Billy Junior made fifty appearances, scoring eight goals in that time.
As you may all be aware, myself and my good friend Joe Doherty, have published a new book, that features every player to have played a competitive game for Finn Harps. The Book was launched earlier this month and is now only available on Amazon. UK & Northern Ireland buy off amazon.co.uk; Ireland & EU buy off amazon.de; and finally Worldwide amazon.com.
