10-man UCD seal draw with Finn Harps

Finn Harps have played six matches at Finn Park and have won just twice. In three away games, they have a 100% record.

SHARE OF THE SPOILS: Finn Harps had to be content with a point as they were held to a draw at home by ten-men UCD in a closely contested SSE Airtricity League First Division clash. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

SSE Airtricity Division 1

Finn Harps 1 (McNamee 13') 

UCD 1 (Behan 73') 

High-flying Finn Harps had to be content with a point as they were held to a draw at home by ten-men UCD in a closely contested SSE Airtricity League First Division clash.

Harps remain second in the table at the end of what is the first series of games, and with just one defeat in nine outings manager Darren Murphy can be well pleased with the way things are going.

The only concern may be their home form. They have actually played six matches at Finn Park and have won just twice. In three away games, they have a 100% record.

The Donegal side got off to a positive start when they took the lead through captain Tony McNamee on 12 minutes.

Striker Patrick Ferry was fouled outside the box and the Harps captain stepped up to plant the ball in the top right corner with a finely struck free to grab his third goal in as many games.

At the other end UCD’s best chance of the half saw a free from Ciaran Beelan just whizzing past the upright.

Harps edged the proceedings before the break and Success Edogan had a good effort which flashed across the face of goal and wide.

UCD manager William O’Connor is no stranger to Finn Park - having been assistant at Harps under during the Ollie Horgan era - and he made a treble substitution at half-time in a bid to put more zest into his side’s display.

But the visitors were dealt a big blow on 63 minutes when the influential Michael McCullagh was given a straight red card for a challenge on Ryan Rainey.

However, UCD substitute Niall Holohan capitalised on some poor Harps defending to seize possession on 73 minutes and he found Behan who slid in to send the ball into the net from close range.

Both sides went in search of a winner and it was Harps who came closest with a late long-range volley from Conor Tourish that was brilliantly saved by Kian Moore.

The share of the spoils means both sides have extended their unbeaten runs to five.

The game had an early 5pm kick-off as the floodlights at Finn Park failed a test during the week.

Finn Harps: Walsh; Makinson, Baba, Tourish; Watson, Cawley, Doherty (Rainey 16), McMonagle (Lotefa 85); McNamee; Edogun, Ferry (O'Donnell 68).

UCD: Moore; Dunne (Higgins ht), Curtis, O'Brien (Holohan ht), O'Regan (Norris 80); Wells, Brennan; Behan, Doyle (Bolton 62), McCullagh; Raggett (Kinsella-Bishop ht).

Referee: O. Moran.