0 v 1 
Drogheda UtdDetails
| Date | Time | League | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21 May 2021 | 7:45 pm | LOI Men's Premier Division | 2021 |
Match Report
United strike late win over Harps
Drogheda Utd claimed a dramatic late win over Finn Harps in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division this evening at Finn Park.
The game looked to be heading for a scoreless draw, when wonder goal scorer Dane Massey stepped up to take a free kick in the 95th minute. He duly dispatched it to the back of the Finn Harps net for a very important three points for the visitors.
That goal had come against the run of play, as Harps substitute Babatunde Owolabi had a couple of opportunities for the home side later on but couldn’t capitalise on them.
There was a lively start to this encounter but neither side had any clear-cut chances in the opening half hour or more. Mark McGinley in the Finn Harps goal had to get down well to save a Mark Doyle strike in the 37th minute, but that was the best chance of the half.
Very early on in the second half the Louth outfit pushed hard for an opening goal. Mark McGinley came to the rescue of Finn Harps twice in quick succession. His first save was from an excellent Ronan Murray free kick and his second is from a good header from Mark Doyle.
Finn Harps settled after that though, and substitute Conor Barry almost made a very quick impact in the 69th minute; but his super strike went just wide of the right post. Then his fellow substitute Owolabi had a penalty claim dismissed. He claimed to have been fouled by Browne just inside the area. The ref was having none of it though.
Owolabi was proving to be a threat and he was nearly through on goal in the 90th minute but was fouled by Luke Heeney, who received a straight red card for his efforts. The resulting free kick could only sail over the bar.
At that point it looked like we were in for a scoreless draw. However, the game had one last twist. Dave Webster committed a foul and received a second yellow card and Dane Massey stepped up to take the resulting free kick.
He had done it before, and he delivered again in the 95th minute of this game with a superb free kick to the top corner. Drogheda United claim all three points in a game which was high on drama right to the final whistle.
Timeline
| Stephen Doherty Mark Russell | 45' | |
| 15. Dave Webster | 49' | |
| Mark Coyle Johnny Dunleavy | 68' | |
| Karl O'Sullivan Conor Barry | 68' | |
| Adam Foley Babatunde Owolabi | 75' | |
| 77' | Ronan Murray James Clarke | |
| 90' | 21. Luke Heeney | |
| 15. Dave Webster | 94' |
Past Meetings
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 |
A wonder strike from Dane Massey for Drogheda Utd from the resulting free kicks gives them a dramatic late win. And they are over the moon with the three points!
Dave Webster is dismissed after receiving a second yellow card.
Red Card for Luke Heeney after a foul on Babatunde Owolabi. Free kick goes over the bar.
Babatunde Owolabi has a penalty claim dismissed after he looked to be fouled on the edge of the area by Browne. Could be a big talking point.
James Clarke replaces the excellent Ronan Murray on the Drogheda Utd side.
Babatunde Owolabi is on for Adam Foley on the home side.
Conor Barry almost makes a very quick impact after being introduced. His superb strike goes just wide of the right post.
Two subs introduced for Finn Harps - Conor Barry is on for Karl O'Sullivan and Johnny Dunleavy is on for Mark Coyle.
Mark Doyle is getting himself into some great positions for Drogheda Utd but the goal is still eluding him.
Ethan Boyle has a chance from a long throws but it sails over the bar. That might settle Harps a little in this second half.
Mark McGinley comes to the rescue of Finn Harps twice in quick succession. His first save is from an excellent Ronan Murray free kick and his second is from good header from Mark Doyle. Drogheda very dangerous looking now.
Mark Russell is on Stephen Doherty for Finn Harps as the second half begins.
No goals at the break. Drogheda Utd were the more dangerous side in the last ten minutes of that half. They look more composed on the ball. Let's see what the second half brings!
Great save from Finn Harps keeper Mark McGinley from a strike from Mark Doyle. Doyle had a real chance to put the visitors one up but McGinley saves well.
Drogheda's Darragh Markey puts a shot in but it sails over the bar. Still no real clear cut chances here.
Still no goals to report but Finn Harps have looked the sharper in the opening half hour. They just can't seem to find the break through. That said, Drogheda do look dangerous going forward.
Nice passage of play from both sides but no breakthrough yet. James Brown sends a ball in that just hasn't anyone to meet it for Drogheda Utd and from the break, Adam Foley has a shot for Finn Harps but he doesn't connect well and it's saved comfortably in the end.
Killian Phillips has a half chance for Drogheda Utd after a corner from Ronan Murray. He doesn't connect right but Murray's danger from corners is displayed after two in quick succession.
Lively start to this one. Finn Harps have probably enjoyed the best of proceedings so far.
The only change for the home side this evening from last weekend is Kosovar Sadiki replacing Johnny Dunleavy. While for Drogheda, Killian Phillips is in for the suspended Gary Deegan, Ronan Murray starts for the injured Jake Hyland and U19 players Donovan Troy, Dave Samson and Luke Neville are on the bench.
The teams are out and warming up and a little bit of sunshine has peaked through the grey skies ahead of the 7.45pm kick off!
It's fourth plays fifth in this Premier Division tie - tonight's visitors to Finn Park sit on sixteen points, while the Donegal outfit are on fifteen points.
Good evening! You're welcome to our live updates on Finn Harps v Drogheda Utd. We are here throughout the evening, so stay with us!