Finn Harps 2
Drogheda United 3
Alan Foley reports Finn Park
WITH BOTH FINN Harps and Drogheda United already consigned to the First Division for next season, there was little in the way of nail-biting excitement at Finn Park tonight, although both teams did at least produce decent enough fare.
Friday’s originally penned fixture fell foul of the weather and 24 hours later, a 3-0 win for Sligo Rovers over Derry City was the final nail in Harps’ coffin; meaning they had already fallen through the trapdoor with their guests — relegated last month — for tonight’s rearranged meeting.
A Caolan McAleer goal inside the first minute — 53 seconds, in fact — did give the sporadic home support something to cheer. However, Pete Mahon’s Drogheda hit back with three second-half goals from Chris Mulhall, Thomas Byrne and Stephen Meaney, which were more than enough to seal the three points.
McAleer then pulled one back with a ferocious drive for his and Harps’ second, but Drogheda won for the first time since their victory on the same Ballybofey ground in April.
It was McAleer who opened the scoring inside of a minute when he had a pop and dipped a fine effort beyond a despairing Stephen McGuinness.
Despite Danny Morrissey hitting the crossbar in an attempt to double Harps’ lead, it was Drogheda who were the better of the combatants after the break.
Thomas McBride’s pass on 61 minutes was intercepted in the middle of the field and eventually the ball made its way to Mulhall, who lifted it over Harps goalkeeper Ciaran Gallagher.
Drogheda, on 73 minutes, went 2-1 up when Byrne evaded a challenge and shot past Gallagher, and it was three when Meaney drove high into the Harps net having been assisted by Mark Doyle eight minutes from time.
And although McAleer finished the night as it started — this time with a splendid goal in the last minute — it was a limp conclusion to Premier Division football for the time being in Donegal.
Finn Harps: Ciaran Gallagher; Damien McNulty (Shane Blaney, 71), Packie Mailey, Kilian Cantwell, Ciaran Coll; Caolan McAleer, Gareth Harkin, Tommy McBride (Sean Houston, 68), Mark Timlin (BJ Banda, 77); Ibrahim Keita, Danny Morrissey.
Drogheda United: Stephen McGuinness; Shane Elworthy, Kevin Farragher, Stephen Dunne, Conor Kane; Chris Mulhall, Sean Brennan (Jamie Hollywood, 77), Ryan McEvoy, Mark Doyle; Sean Russell (Thomas Byrne, 69), Stephen Meaney (Jack Bailey, 83).
Referee: Thomas Connolly.
