Drogheda United ended their season on a high with a comprehensive performance and a win over relegated Finn Harps at Head In The Game Park.
It was an evening to reflect and celebrate on Boyneside. The club's pre-season aim of securing their place in the Premier Division for a third straight season had in reality been achieved months ago.
Harps, with a miniscule away support in Drogheda following confirmation of their drop to the second tier last week, had nothing to play and simply couldn’t keep up with the hosts who at least wanted to give their supporters a reason to end the year with a smile.
Darragh Markey scored his first goal of the campaign at his last attempt and Dayle Rooney notched late on too. The game was topped and tailed by two Drogheda goals, but they could have scored many more.
Their performance was testament to a fine performance delivered without their three strikers – Chris Lyons, Dean Williams and Adam Foley all missing – and with Ryan Brennan leading the line.
Markey however was the star turn.
His early goal came when Darragh Noone’s right-wing cross was flicked into his path by a Harp defender. He had ample time to pick his spot and beat James McKeown.
The impressive Darragh Nugent, on loan from champions Shamrock Rovers, twice tested McKeown as Drogheda swarmed over their opponents in the first half.
Substitute Emre Topcu, a replacement for the stricken Dylan Grimes, forced a fine save from the Harps goalkeeper. He smartly turned and struck which had McKeown diving low to his right to repel.
Ethan Boyle’s header after Rob Slevin rescued a deep corner was headed away by Gary Deegan in a rare attack for Ollie Horgan’s side. It was a frustrating night for the Harps boss, who was booked by referee David Dunne after the interval.
That will have been in part due to his side struggling to contain United who attacked with verve. Markey, Nugent and Dayle Rooney were at the fore. The latter shot wide and somehow directed a header wide with the goal gaping.
Markey was denied by the crossbar and Nugent the upright as the chances kept coming. Kevin Doherty’s young bench had nine senior career appearances between them but the Drogs boss emptied anyways late on.
Among them, goalkeeper Fiacha Pagel replaced Lee Steacy for a senior debut. Another youngster, Topcu, set up Rooney for his 90th minute goal to seal the victory. It didn’t look likely that Harps would reply. It remains to be seen when we will see them again in the Premier Division.
Drogheda United: Lee Steacy (Fiacha Pagel, 74); Darragh Noone, Andrew Quinn, Keith Cowan (Callum Ralph, 90+2), Dane Massey (Victor Arong, 90+2); Gary Deegan, Darragh Nugent; Dylan Grimes (Emre Topcu, 32), Darragh Markey, Dayle Rooney; Ryan Brennan (Dylan Molloy, 90+2).
Finn Harps: James McKeown; Harry Nicolson, Conor Tourish Rob Slevin; Ryan Rainey, Gary Boylan (Dylan Duncan, 82), Barry McNamee (Damien Duffy, 87), Ethan Boyle; Luke Rudden (Shaun O’Donnell, 71), Mark Timlin (Jamie Siaj, 82); Filip Mihaljevic.
Referee: David Dunne.
