Lilywhites draw blank against stubborn Harps

DUNDALK might be flying high in Europe but they dropped a big two points in their battle to get back there after being held by Finn Harps at Oriel Park. Manager Filippo Giovagnoli made 10 changes to the side that had played in the Europa League three days earlier, with Brian Gartland the sole survivor from the side which beat KÍ Klaksvik at the Aviva Stadium to ensure group stage football. The changes failed to pay off, however, as they struggled to break down a stubborn Harps side who held out for what could be a huge point in their battle to avoid the drop. The result means Dundalk remain in sixth place, albeit with two games in hand over Waterford FC who sit third. The Lilywhites had the best of the chances, with David McMillan turning an early effort wide from a Jordan Flores cross before Nathan Oduwa was twice denied by Mark McGinley. Oduwa was also denied a penalty when he went down in the box under a Shane McEleney challenge just before the break. Dundalk struggled to break down Ollie Horgan’s men in the second half, with their best chance coming on 72 minutes when Patrick McEleney almost caught McGinley off his line with a free-kick from just inside the Harps’ half.

DUNDALK: McCarey; Mountney, Gartland, Boyle, Dummigan; Shields, Flores (Sloggett 55); Kelly (Duffy 55), Patching (McEleney 55), Oduwa (Colovic 63); McMillan. FINN HARPS: McGinley; Webster, Sadiki, McEleney, Folan, Russell; O’Sullivan (Foley 75), Harkin (Connolly 75), Donnellan (T McNamee 94); B McNamee; Kogler (Coyle 67).

Referee: Paul McLaughlin (Monaghan).