MU17 vs Finn Harps
Our MU17s travelled to Donegal today for their first away game of the campaign.
Cian O’Leary put the away side 1-0 up with Harry McGuirk providing the assist. Unfortunately a goal scored by Finn Harps just before the break meant the game was all square at HT despite the away side controlling the game.
The second half was a more scrappy affair but Drogheda United still had chances to win the game with Cian O’Leary hitting the post, Matthew McCloskey having a goal ruled out for offside after a great move and on the stroke of full-time Cian O’Leary nearly won it for the away side with a great chance.
Again, the MU17s will be pleased with the performance but disappointed with only a point given the overall performance and chances created.
MU14 vs Finn Harps
Finn Park was the venue for the U14s first away game of the season. On a blustery and bright day in Ballybofey, Drogheda got off to a slow start and after 4 mins found themselves 1-0 down following a overlapping move by Finn Harps. This was compounded 17 mins later when a similar situation happened on the opposite side for Drogheda to go 2 down.
Drogheda however started to get a foothold in the game and started to put Finn Harps under pressure where they were winning more of the individual battles. The game started to swing in Drogheda’s direction. However, the Finn Harps defence were solid in nullifying the impact of the Drogheda centre forward.
As the game entered into its final 15 mins Drogheda were reduced to 10 men. Rather than falling back, Drogheda not only kept their shape and frustrated Finn Harps, they fashioned three corners from which Conor Brennan came close with a dipping volley from the edge of the penalty area which the Finn Harps keeper tipped over.
While the result did not favour Drogheda, as the game progressed it was Drogheda who looked more likely to score. While the result is disappointing, the outlook is good due to the players application to the task at hand and willingness to keep playing football to the end.
