Finn-tastic result means Drogs are in driving seat
BEN Maguire was the man in the right spot to leave Drogheda United Under-17s right in the mix to make the next stage of the National League play-offs after a fine win over Finn Harps at United Park on Saturday.
In what was a closely fought tie, it always looked as if one goal would win it and that’s how it played out. A Shane Forbes corner on 62 minutes was touched on towards the back post and Maguire flashed his drive to the roof of the Harps net.
The win now sees the young Drogs head their group of three, with Dundalk to come, and it’s the group winners who will advance.
While Harps started the better on a magnificently prepared pitch, United settled in well to the task, with former Quay Celtic man Fionn Kenny solid on the right and Tom Kelly an imposing central defender. But from the moment he almost eluded the keeper with a wonderful turn of pace in the 10th minute, Patrick Abako was the star man in many eyes.
He has moved on well from his younger days with Drogheda Marsh Crescent and his style is raw and exciting, a constant threat down the left side, and come the Under-19s he will be one to watch in terms of stepping up to a higher standard.
Time and time again he ran at his marker and climbed well to contest in the air. A bit more luck in front of goal and he could have been celebrating on more than one occasion.
Graham Burnett Keoghan and the stylish Jack Supple almost combined for the lead goal on 15 minutes, with Harps keeper Shea McBride touching the ball over the bar.
Joshua Wall’s great feet almost unhinged the Harps defence before the break, but the visitors kept their goal intact. Callum Ralph and sub Shane Forbes ensured United stayed on top, though, and when they finally hit the front their game management kicked in.
In goalkeeping terms, Darren Rowley remains a top prospect.
He had little to do in terms of saves for much of the 90 minutes, but it was his distribution that stood out - faultless from start to finish. The former Laytown United man
featured in the NDSL squad for the Kennedy Cup in the past and has a good career ahead of himself.
He was well placed to save from Michael Doran on 68 minues in a rare Harps attack that got the better of United’s defence.
Kyle Carroll was another player to stand out. Another product of the Drogheda Marsh Crescent club, he was an industrious figure from the very start.
Mario Creed’s introduction added even more to United’s shape and confidence and Aidan McCormack, who also came on, did his bit too.
The end result was just reward for United’s efforts and shows the direction that Morgan Hughes wants to bring this side in.
Referee Cillian Gormley has to be congratulated for his performance on the day, constantly allowing the play to develop and handling the tie in an unassuming but highly confident manner. A few more like him are needed in the senior set-up nationally,
Darren Rowley, Callum Ralph, Tom Kelly, Harry Brennan McMahon, Fionn Kenny, Kyle Carroll, Jack Supple, Joshua Wall, Graham Burnett Keoghan, Patrick Abako, Ben Maguire, Aidan McCormack, Jack Crowe, Shane Forbes, Mario Creed, Christian McCabe, Joshua Seberry.
REFEREE: Cillian Gormley; First assistant: Conor Harkin; Second assistant; Robert Murphy.