Relief for Harps as they secure top-flight place
JAMES Carter’s first-half goal proved decisive as Boyne Harps overcame Division 1 hopefuls Ardee Celtic at United Park last Thursday to secure their place in next season’s top flight.
However, the Drogheda side - Premier Division champions only two years ago - had to withstand late pressure from the mid Louth outfit who were just pipped to automatic promotion by Black Bull the week before.
Harps were the better side for the majority of the game, and Ardee keeper Declan Butler made a brilliant save early on, tipping a Ryan Connor 30-yard shot onto the crossbar to keep the score at 0-0.
The all-important breakthrough for Boyne Harps arrived on 27 minutes when James Traynor whipped in a cross from the left and James Carter timed his run perfectly to head home at the far post.
Harps continued to dominate in the early stages of the second half and Butler performed more heroics when he backtracked to tip a looping Ian Devine header over the crossbar.
However, what would have been the killer second goal never came and Harps - having played just twice in the previous nine weeks - understandably began to tire in the last quarter.
Now it was Ardee’s turn to press, but they also came up against a goalkeeper in top form as former Drogheda United ace Jason Lowney - on the eve of his 35th birthday - made two great saves in the latter stages to break Ardee’s hearts.
Best for the winners were Kevin Walsh, Paddy O’Boyle and Connor.
Afterwards, Shane Gregory, who took over as Harps manager in January of this year, promised big changes during the summer as he attempts to put his own stamp on the team and improve their fortunes next season.
BOYNE HARPS: Jason Lowney, Conor Healy, James Traynor (Leon Campbell 87), Paddy O’Boyle, Kevin Walsh, Danny Coyle, Darren McCann (William Woods 67), Gary Bedford (James Guilfoyle 46), Stephen Carter, Ryan Connor, Ian Devine.
ARDEE CELTIC: Declan Butler, Kenneth Thornton (Stuart Osbourne 84), Fintan Clarke, Robbie McNeice, Robbie Reynolds, Paul Carrie, Paul Matondo, Eddie Burke (Gareth Kane 46), Mikey Nulty, Lorcan Myles (James McMullen 46), Niall Conlon (Tristan Knowles 76). Sub not used: Conor Osbourne.