Dundalk were somehow denied victory as Ryan Curran’s 73rd-minute strike saw Finn Harps snatch a scarcely-deserved share of the spoils with a 1-1 draw in the FAI National U19 League Northern Division at Oriel Park on Saturday afternoon. Dundalk bossed most of the opening half and were full value for their one-goal lead at the break thanks to Bob McKenna’s 19th goal of the season, the Skerries native netting from the spot after Conor McDonald had been fouled. Harps, however, equalised 17 minutes from the end. The home side should have restored their lead moments later but Harps somehow kept them out, and the Donegal outfit could have won it on 88 but Brian Bird produced a wonderful last-ditch tackle.
Chippy fouled
After a quiet opening where both sides cancelled each other out, Dundalk ‘keeper Craig Hanlon tipped a cross-cum-shot over the bar on 13 minutes. Shortly after, Peter Thomas’s pass from the middle found in-form McKenna but he failed to control as Dundalk began to put pressure on the Harps defence. However, seconds later, the home side were in front. McDonald controlled well in the box and took the ball over Hugh McFadden who then fouled the Blackrock native, with McKenna stepping up and planting the spot-kick in the bottom corner, despite Harps No1 Shaun Patton going the right way. Immediately, at the other end, Cian Byrne was adjudged to have handled the ball on the 18-yard line, but Gary Merritt’s free-kick was wild and went into the field behind De Town End.
Pressure
Dundalk remained on the front foot as they looked for a second, and the Harps backline did well to block Ben McLaughlin’s fierce shot following a corner, before Kurt Murphy fired over from the left of the area. Merritt then did well down the left as he got past Karl Martin but the Lilywhites defender recovered well, with Hanlon saving and holding the end effort. Thomas then saw a shot fly well over and Byrne headed a Mark Leavy corner off target, but Dundalk had to settle for just a one-goal lead at the break. On 53 minutes, after starting the second half where they left off the first, McKenna got free down the right but he couldn’t pick out Chris Reilly in the middle as Patton gathered. On the hour, Dundalk were lucky to survive after an error by Hanlon as he spilled a cross.
Equaliser
On 66 minutes, McKenna went close to giving his side a two-goal cushion as his chip just cleared the crossbar, as Dundalk looked for some insurance after Harps had threatened to snatch an equaliser. Shortly after, Harps won another free-kick in a dangerous position, this time on the right line of the box, but Cathal McDaid’s low curling shot was well collected by Hanlon. However, on 73 minutes, Harps did level when, after some suspect defending by the hosts, Curran fired into Hanlon’s right-hand corner from the edge of the box. Dundalk should have been back in front moments later. Firstly, Reilly was put through but his shot was deflected wide, before Dundalk saw a shot cleared off the line, the Harps ‘keeper tip over and an effort come off the bar. On 88 minutes, Harps looked likely to win it but Bird produced an inch-perfect last-ditch tackle to deny them.
DUNDALK FC: Craig Hanlon, Karl Martin, Cian Byrne ©, Ben McLaughlin, Brian Bird, Mark Leavy, Conor McDonald, Peter Thomas, Kurt Murphy, Bob McKenna, Chris Reilly.
Goal: B McKenna (19 pen).
Booked: P Thomas (64), B McLaughlin (81).
Unused Subs: Daniel Hand, John McKeown, Robert Sweeney, Conor Macken.
FINN HARPS FC: Shaun Patton, Martin Redmond, Ryan Shields, Hugh McFadden, Stephen Rodden, Gary Merritt, Ryan Curran, Ryan Lonergan (Dean Bonner 24), Cathal McDaid, Dean McConnell, John McGarvey.
Goal: R Curran (73).
Booked: M Redmond (46).
Unused Subs: Cillian Gallagher, Rory Dunleavy.
Referee: Paul McLaughlin (Monaghan).
