Finn Harps and UCD cancelled each other out in an entertaining draw at Finn Park under the floodlights. The spoils shared will suit Harps better in the grand scheme of things approaching the season’s end, as it keeps them six points clear of UCD, w
Finn Harps and UCD cancelled each other out in an entertaining draw at Finn Park under the floodlights. The spoils shared will suit Harps better in the grand scheme of things approaching the season’s end, as it keeps them six points clear of UCD, with only three games to go. Both goalkeepers were called upon to make good stops throughout and didn’t disappoint as Harps now have their fate in their own hands. Assistant Manager Paul Hegarty spoke after the match and felt his side failed to capitalise on some good early pressure. “I felt we started off the first half really well and we had them pinned in, if we had gone in at half time leading, it wouldn’t have flattered us,” he said. “But saying that, they had a good period at the start of the second half, where we couldn’t get a foot on the ball,” he added. Finn Harps may have had a case for a penalty midway through the second half, veteran Raff Cretaro was the player in question and Hegarty noted that what’s done is done. “Raff said he was tripped when we went to take the shot, I haven’t seen it back so I don’t know but it is what it is, we didn’t get it, and that is that.” Next up for the Ballybofey side is a trip to Tallaght to take on Shamrock Rovers and Hegarty admitted they may have one eye on the UCD score as they take on Cork. “We have to try and get something out of next week, while UCD take Cork, that’s going to be a tough game for them but you can see how well organised they are.” “They came here to play on the counter and I felt we dealt with it quite well, to be fair to the players, they concentrated for the 90 minutes and emptied the tank,” he added. Ollie Horgan has often been quoted as saying that the relegation scrap will go down to the wire but Hegarty is undecided. “I can’t see into a crystal ball, I would have liked it to be settled tonight and the players did everything they could bar sticking the ball in the back of the net to win the match.” Finn Harps have only one home game left during the regular season, they welcome Waterford to Finn Park on October 18 but Hegarty noted that Shamrock Rovers away is what the players are currently focused on. “Waterford are a very good side, a lot of very good players but we will take it one game at a time and next week is Shamrock Rovers.” “It’s going to be difficult, at the moment we are not depending on anybody to do us a favour but you never know after next week,” he concluded.
