Under-17s denied right at the death

FINN HARPS DROGHEDA UNITED 2 1

DROGHEDA United U-17s suffered heartbreak in Ballybofey on Sunday as Finn Harps struck late to collect all three points.

With a gale blowing down the pitch the Drogs played into the wind the first half and did well to restrict second-placed Harps to shots from distance, while the one gilt-edged chance they had produced a great save from Daniel Grace. The Drogs broke well at times and were unlucky not to score.

In the second half the Boynesiders played with the wind and dealt well with early pressure, but the deadlock was broken on the hour mark when the Harps winger broke and crossed for their forward to finish.

Harps went looking for more and the Drogs defence did well to prevent further goals, but in the 84th minute Callum Leonard pounced on a loose ball from the home keeper to his centre-back and bore down on goal before squaring to Tom Adeyinka to finish for a great equaliser.

With Harps knowing they needed a win to confirm second place in the league, they pushed hard and got the winner with two minutes remaining with a header. It was tough for Drogheda to take, but they could reflect on another great performance. DROGHEDA UTD: Daniel Grace, Karl Spooner (Greg Akinsanya), Gavin Molloy, Cian Quinn, Sam Byrne (Leo Tang), Derrick Dunne, Michael McHugh, Aaron McNally, Callum Leonard, Kian Hussey (Tom Adeyinka), Frank Cabraley. Subs not used: Daniel Murphy, Callum McDonnell, Sean Peat, Niall Blayney.