Ten-man Finn Harps are out of this year’s FAI Cup after losing 2-0 to Drogheda United in their quarter-final replay at Hunky Dory Park.
Peter Hutton
Second half goals from Declan O’Brien and David Cassidy put the home side through for a semi-final meeting with near neighbours, Dundalk.
After an evenly contested first period which lacked genuine goal chances, the second half compensated with O’Brien opening the scoring for the home side in the 51st minute.
Some fine one-two reverse passing between Shane Grimes and Cassidy on the edge of the Harps’ area left Cassidy with space to cross and his low drive across the face of the visitors’ goal caused chaos in their defence.
In the resulting goal mouth scramble, Ryan Brennan’s initially saved attempt saw the ball ricocheting kindly into the path of O’Brien, and standing virtually on the goal line, who made no mistake
Harps almost grabbed an equaliser though when they were awarded a free kick just outside the area midway through the second half. Thomas McMonagle’s drilled effort was almost spilled by Schlingermann, who gathered at the second attempt.
The visitors were reduced to 10 men in the 74th minute when Damien McNulty got his second yellow card for a push on David Cassidy. This followed a late challenge by Cassidy on Michael Funston and the ensuing melee between the two sets of players threatened to spoil a previously good-spirited contest.
Drogheda wrapped the game up with two minutes to go when McNulty set up Cassidy to find the net.
United can now look forward to a televised semi-final against their arch rivals, Dundalk, as their formidable run of form in this season’s domestic cups continues.
