Goals either side of half-time by UCD’s Harry Curtin and Micheal Riggett condemned Finn Harps to another defeat, their sixth on the trot.
UCD 2
Finn Harps 0
Darren Murphy’s charges continued their poor run of form which has seen them slip down the table and out of the play-off spots.
Harps brought in goalkeeper Oisín Cooney, Ryan Rainey into midfield and Patrick Ferry in attack to their starting line-up for this trip to Belfield to take on third place UCD for what was sure to be another tough test as they tried to turn the tide around after a run of poor result. The teams had met on three occasions already this season and all three had ended in a draw: 3-3 at this venue and 1-1 in both meetings at Finn Park. After a somewhat uneventful first twenty minutes devoid of any clear-cut chances, both teams created a reasonable opportunity. Oisín Cooney saved well from Jake Doyle, while two minutes later Max Hutchinson headed over from a good position.
UCD went close again in the 25th minute, Adam Verdon shooting just wide from the edge of the box. Harps lost Ryan Rainey with injury on the half-hour and UCD began to apply some pressure and went close in the 37th minute when Cooney made a super save to deny Micheal Raggett and then Ronan Finn had a shot deflected just wide. But just when it looked like Harps would hold on to half-time, UCD took the lead. Harry Curtin struck in injury time to finish off a good move and leave Harps another second-half trying to chase goals which has been a problem for them in recent weeks.
Two minutes into the second-half that task became even more difficult when Michael Raggett slotted home to put UCD 2-0 ahead and in control and Harps forced to throw caution to the wind if they were to avoid another defeat. They almost replied immediately but Tony McNamee’s shot came back off the crossbar and in their next attack UCD’s Jack Doyle forced another fine save from Oisín Cooney and then Doyle was just wide with a shot from the edge of the box. Harps cleared the bench but to no avail as UCD won 2-0. Harps host Cobh Ramblers at Finn Park next Friday.
UCD; Kian Moore , Adam Wells , Eanna Clancy , Sean Brennan ( Adam Brennan 90mins), , Ronan Finn ,Micheal Raggett (Hugh Parker 75mins), Harry Curtin , Sam Norval , Adam Vendon , Luke O Regan ( Alex Dunne 90mins), Jake Doyle.
Finn Harps : Oisín Cooney , Jamie Watson , Conor Tourish (Max Johnston 80mins) , Noe Baba , Luke O Brien ( Kevin Jordan 60mins), Max Hutchinson ( Bruce Strachan (60mins), Ryan Rainey ( Aaron McLaughlin 30mins), Tony McNamee , Sean Patton ( Gavin McAteer 80mins), Success Edogun , Patrick Ferry.
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