2 v 2 
Drogheda UtdVideo
Details
| Date | Time | League | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 April 2022 | 8:00 pm | LOI Men's Premier Division | 2022 |
Match Report
Stalemate for Harps and Drogheda
Neither Finn Harps or Drogheda can escape the tail-end of the SSE Airtricity Premier Division as the two sides fought out a stalemate in tough conditions in Ballybofey this evening.
Drogheda took an early lead through James Clarke but goals from Eric McWoods and Yousef Mahdy saw Harps go into the break 2-1 up. The home side managed to keep their composure until the late stages of the second when sub Ryan Brennan struck an equaliser for Drogheda to draw the game.
Early on, as they would all half, Harps opted for a long ball strategy in the hope of beating the visitor's high press but playing against the wind, they struggled to have any luck up front.
Drogheda looked a lot slicker going forward and played short passes at pace to trouble the opposition defence. The visitor's game plan paid off in the 4th minute when Gary Deegan came flying in from the right flank. He played a short cross inside to James Clarke who slid to get a foot on the ball and sent it into the Harps net to open scoring.
The visitors' momentum continued as Dale Rooney and Evan Weir linked up well for Drogheda on the left wing and used their pace to terrorise the Harp's defenders.
The Ballybofey side didn't give up though and worked their way back into the game, persisting with the long ball strategy which proved more successful as the half went on.
Debutant goalkeeper Mulreaney sent a long ball up the field and it bounced around for Harps to win it and send a cutting pass to Filip Mihaljevic. One on one with the keeper, the Croatian forward was blocked down but the ball fell for Eric McWoods who curled it into the visitors' goal to equalise.
Harps grew into the game from then on with Barry McNamee pulling the strings for his side going forward. Late in the half McNamee sent a long ball to McWoods who found Mihaljevic at the far post in the United box. He headed it down for striker Yousef Mahdy to tap into goal before half-time.
Harps began the second half the more dangerous but couldn't find goal. The tide turned in Drogheda's favour on the hour mark as big-hitters Chris Lyons and Ryan Brennan were subbed on and they began to dominate play.
Regardless, big chances proved rare for United and it was Harps who looked likely to score on the counter but were denied by big efforts from the Drogs defence and keeper Sam Long.
United kept coming though and on 84 minutes Ryan Brennan struck low into the left corner to bring his side level.
Late drama followed as Harps hit back and had several big chances to get a late late winner through Mark Timlin, Ryan Connolly, and Bastien Hery only to be denied once again by last ditch efforts from Sam Long and his defenders.
Without a win, both sides remain at the wrong end of the league table after eight games.
Timeline
| 4' | 15. James Clarke | |
| 8. Eric McWoods | 20' | |
| 9. Yoyo Mahdy | 43' | |
| 60' | Dean Williams Chris Lyons | |
| 60' | Dylan Grimes Ryan Brennan | |
| 62' | 15. Darragh Nugent | |
| 69' | Darragh Nugent Luke Heeney | |
| Filip Mihaljevic Bastien Hery | 74' | |
| 78' | 19. Ryan Brennan | |
| 79' | Evan Weir Andrew Quinn | |
| 17. Elie-Gael N'Zeyi | 90' | |
| Barry McNamee Mark Timlin | 90' |
Past Meetings
|
(Series 30)
0 - 0LOI Men's Premier Division
Finn Park Finn Harps v Drogheda United |
|
(Series 19)
3 - 1LOI Men's Premier Division
Weavers Park Drogheda United v Finn Harps |
|
(Series 12)
0 - 1LOI Men's Premier Division
Finn Park Finn Harps v Drogheda United |
3 - 2eLOI Group D
Online Event Finn Harps v Drogheda United |
|
(Series 3)
1 - 1LOI Men's Premier Division
Weavers Park Drogheda United v Finn Harps |
2 - 3LOI Men's Premier Division
Finn Park Finn Harps FC v Drogheda United FC |
0 - 2LOI Men's Premier Division
Weavers Park Drogheda United FC v Finn Harps FC |
0 - 2LOI Men's Premier Division
Finn Park Finn Harps FC v Drogheda United FC |
Ground
| Finn Park |
|---|
| Finn Park, Navenny Street, Stranorlar Electoral Division, Lifford-Stranorlar Municipal District, County Donegal, F93 Y27K, Ireland |
Full-Time at Finn Park as Harps and Drogheda draw 2-2. Late drama as Harps have some good late chances to get a winner but all square after four minutes of injury time!
Massive save from Sam Long once again to keep Harps out!
Hery's shot is blocked as Harps now push up
Timlin's shot goes well over after some great play with Ryan Connoly
Long collects a high ball into his box from Harps
Brennan equalises for Drogs!!!
Drogheda driving forward as they look for an all important equaliser
Mahdy's header deflected off the Drogheda line!
Andrew Quinn replaces the injured Evan Weir for Drogheda
Hery on for Mihaljevic for the home side
McWoods doing well on the right to give Harps a foothold in the Drogheda half
Big save from Sam Long on Ryan Connolly to keep the deficit to one
Luke Heeney replaces Nugent for United
Drogheda surging forward now in search of an equaliser
Drogs players protest as Mulreaney looks to have caught the ball on the edge of the box, referee waves play on
Mihajevic misses the goal with a header
Nugent is booked for fouling Mihajevic
Brennan comes on for Dylan Grimes
Lyons replaces Williams
Subs for Drogheda
Ethan Boyle's header goes wide
Harps putting the visitors under pressure now, winning set-pieces inside the Drogs' half
Mihaljevic has taken up some dangerous positions this evening, really growing into the game
Mahdy's free-kick is kept out by a great Sam Long save, Connolly's follow up goes over the goal
Free kick just outside the box for Harps as Mihaljevic is fouled
Games has opened up now as both sides search for the next goal
Harps on the front foot so far, Barry McNamee still pulling the strings for his side
Back under way as Drogheda kick-off the second half!
Half-Time at Finn Park as Harps lead Drogheda 2-1 thanks to a 43rd minute goal from Yousef Mahdy
McWoods plays a ball to the back post which Mihaljevic heads down to Mahdy who taps it into the Drogheda goal!
GOALLL from Mahdy as Harps take the lead!
Sides exchanging possession as of now with half-time approaching
Everything good from Harps is coming through McNamee, keeping his side ticking going forward in the last 10 minutes
Harps threatening now but just lacking accuracy in the final ball
Slevin tries a volley from the edge of the Drogs box but it goes over
Drogheda have threatened from the left flank all game, winger Dale Rooney linking up well with full-back Weir to cause the Harps defence trouble
Mulreaney doing well on his first game for Harps as Drogs have pushed forward since conceding
Great save by Mulreaney from Evan Weir's shot!
A defence beating pass found Yousef Madhy who's shot was blocked 1v1 with Drogs keeper Long. McWoods picked up the deflection and curled it into the visitor's net!
Eric McWoods gets an equaliser for Harps!
Harps continuing to pursue the long ball strategy against the wind
Long throw-in from Boyle
James Clarke hits a shot from distance but goes well wide!
Sam Long gathers a high cross into the Drogs box
Standard wet and windy conditions at Finn Park this evening, neither side can really hold on to possession for long spells
Mulreany gathers a Drogheda cross from Dale Rooney
Drogheda look a lot more dangerous going forward than Harps, the home side have yet to beat the visitor's defence and create a real chance
Harps getting forward now
Corner Drogheda as they pile on the pressure now, looking dangerous going forward!
Gary Deegan beat the Harps defenders from the right wing and managed to cross the ball inside. James Clarke managed to slide and get his foot to the ball to slide it in for the game's opening goal!
GOAALLL Drogheda!
Harps launching long balls in hope of beating the Drogs defence in the early stages of this game
Harps get things under way in front of a big crowd at Ballybofey!
10 minutes to go until Kick-Off at Finn Park!
Chris Lyons leads the scoring for United so far this season and may look to make an impact off the bench tonight!
Croatian striker Mihaljevic starts this evening for Finn Harps and will hope to get on the scoresheet
Harps were unable to get one over Drogheda last season, can they do it tonight with an expectant Ballybofey crowd?
Hello and welcome to Finn Harps v Drogheda United at Finn Park, Ballybofey. My name is Jack Joy and I'll be taking you through tonight's clash with live commentary. Kick-Off is at 8pm!