3 v 0 
Drogheda UtdVideo
Details
| Date | Time | League | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 August 2022 | 8:00 pm | LOI Men's Premier Division | 2022 |
Match Report
LOI PD Report: Finn Harps v Drogheda United
A penalty from Filip Mihaljevic and Eric McWood’s brace helped Finn Harps surge to a pivotal win in the relegation battle as they defeated Drogheda United 3-0. The victory lifts them back above UCD into ninth place.
This was a huge game for the Ballybofey outfit as they came into it winless in seven and needing at least a point to overtake UCD following Drogheda’s draw with them on Monday.
The first half was a massively entertaining, end-to-end affair. Finn Harps were the better side in open play as McWoods, Mihaljevic and the workaholic Barry McNamee posed problems from the first whistle.
Yet defensive naivety threatened to undo this as the hosts were repeatedly undone by Drogheda’s rapid counterattacks, especially through Darragh Rooney down the left.
Colin McCabe had already been forced into two sharp saves and the home side’s pressure bore fruit in the twenty-third minute. Andrew Quinn hacked down McWoods after the American had sped into the box. Mihaljevic converted a pinpoint penalty beyond McCabe and into the bottom corner.
Drogheda responded by applying fierce pressure of their own yet they themselves were, ironically given their main threat up to then, undone by a swift counterattack.
Conor Tourish originated it with a crunching but fair tackle to regain possession. Mihaljevic picked the run of McWoods and he was calmness personified, tucking the chance away ruthlessly.
Despite Ryan Brennan and Dean Williams being introduced, Finn Harps quelled Drogheda’s second half threat with relative comfort.
McWoods made the game safe with a flying header from Regan Donelon’s, typically dangerous, ball in. 3-0 ensured Finn Park, perhaps even all Ballybofey, was bouncing with upbeat buoyancy.
To their credit, the vusitors continued to make a game of it but Harps stood firm. McNamee and home keeper James McKeown were superb, calming figures.
Tonight, was a fine redemption for McKeown after an error-strewn debut in the FAI Cup last week. The goalkeeper was commanding and even better, a handy shot-stopper.
This victory will send Ollie Horgan’s men to the UCD Bowl, for next Friday’s relegation six-pointer, full of optimism as their winless run comes to an end. Drogheda host Shelbourne and will be keen for points to ensure they are not drawn into an increasingly engrossing relegation scrap.
Timeline
| 33. Filip Mihaljevic | 16' | |
| 33. Filip Mihaljevic | 23' | |
| 8. Eric McWoods | 44' | |
| 45' | Darragh Nugent Ryan Brennan | |
| 8. Eric McWoods | 58' | |
| 61' | Adam Foley Dean Williams | |
| 64' | Darragh Markey Dylan Grimes | |
| Filip Mihaljevic Ryan Rainey | 70' | |
| 75' | Chris Lyons Victor Arong | |
| 8. Eric McWoods | 79' | |
| Ethan Boyle Jose Carrillo | 88' | |
| Barry McNamee Mark Timlin | 90' |
Past Meetings
|
(Round 16)
3 - 1LOI Men's Premier Division
Weavers Park Drogheda United v Finn Harps |
|
(Round 1)
2 - 2LOI Men's Premier Division
Finn Park Finn Harps v Drogheda United |
|
(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 |
Rory Morrow
QUB Student, passion for Sports Journalism Editor @ The Gown QUB Newspaper Reporter for @ FinalWhistle
Thanks for joining me tonight, see you again next time
HUGE win that for Finn Harps, it ends 3-0
The hosts seeing this out expertly, Mark Timlin is on for McNamee as we go into four minutes of added time
Boyle has to go off with a knock, Jose Carrillo comes on for the closing stages. They'll hope its not serious
McWoods in the book for slowing a free kick down
Harps are managing the game extremely well as we enter the final fifteen minutes, this would be some win for them!
Young Victor Arong is on for Lyons
Ollie Horgan bolsters his midfield, Ryan Rainey replaces goal scorer Mihaljevic
The away team have picked up the tempo and are zealously looking for an opening. Harps defending staunchly for now
Drogheda's third change: Grimes on for Markey
Dean Williams replaces former Harps forward Foley
McWoods gets his second goal as Harps make it 3-0! Barnstorming play from Ethan Boyle, conducted by McNamee, allows Regan Donelon room to cross and the American thunders a terrific header beyond McCabe
Dane Massey fires a fierce free kick in and McKeown shovels it out of play before the home keeper saves, again alertly, from Chris Lyons
Harps utilising the speed of McWoods as a great outlet, Drogheda yet to fathom a clear-cut chance since half time
Back underway, the experienced Ryan Brennan has come on for Darragh Nugent for the away side
What an end to the half, 2-0 to Finn Harps at the break!
And as I say that, Finn Harps score again! McWoods tucks it away after a fine pass from Mihaljevic, the move started by Conor Tourish's thumping but fair tackle
The hosts are really penned in now as hurried clearances are only finding Drogheda players- Harps will be delighted to make it to the interval ahead
Markey and Adam Foley combine slickly as a fine cross in has nobody to attack it
Drogheda apply pressure via Darragh Markey's set pieces but McKeown, in stark contrast to last week, is commanding coming to claim the ball
The home side should be at least 2-0 up. First, Eric McWoods heads Slevin's cross over before Mihaljevic fluffs two headers, in quick succession, over the top. Ollie Horgan will be desperate for a second goal
McWoods pace wins Finn Harps a penalty after Andrew Quinn pulls him down in the box. Mihaljevic is calm as you like and converts with ease from the spot! Big goal
McCabe again with a smart stop, denying Mihaljevic from close range. Yet Drogheda counter-attack and Barry McNamee gets back well to mop up
From a home corner, Drogheda counter rapidly and Filap Mihaljevic halts it with a foul
Darragh Nugent now hits the post for the visitors, end-to-end!
Elie-Gael N'Zeyi does really well to slip in Eric McWoods on the left of the area but Colin McCabe stays sharp and saves with his feet
Chance for Drogheda! Ryan Connolly dawdles at the back and Drogheda nip in but Adam Foley's shot is tame and easy for McKeown
Good tempo early on as Rob Slevin powers a header over for Harps before Dayle Rooney's corner is confidently dealt with by home keeper, James McKeown
Underway!
Good evening and welcome to FinalWhistle.ie's coverage of Finn Harps vs Drogheda United in the Premier Division tonight. Kick off at Finn Park is in just over twenty minutes