Ultimately, it was left to Chumbawamba – “I get knocked down, but I’ll get up again. You’re never gonna keep me down” – to provide the soundtrack as Finn Harps fell to a poor defeat in their final Premier Division game for at least 16 months.
Finn Harps 2 Drogheda United 3
Pictures by Joe Boland, North West News Pix
Drogheda came from behind to win as second-half goals by Chris Mulhall, Thomas Byrne and Stephen Meaney gave Pete Mahon’s men a first League win in a 22-game spell going back to their 2-0 win in Ballybofey in April.
For Harps, who led through Caolan McAleer’s goal in the opening minute, it was a disappointing way to end a campaign that will end with a whimper on Friday night when they face Bohemians. Relegated officially on Saturday night after Sligo defeated Derry City, there was an eerie atmosphere around Navenney Street as Harps’ two-season stay in the top flight came to a close.
By the time Meaney finished high into the net, after taking a cut-back from Mark Doyle, the old place felt dark as it came to terms with it all, although it did end with McAleer cracking a wonder goal past Stephen McGuinness from 25 yards.
Harps took the lead with just 53 seconds gone. From a throw-in on the left-hand side, McAleer managed to open up and his shot somehow managed to dip beyond the reach of McGuinness, the Drogheda net-minder.
McAleer ended the night how it began, giving McGuinness no chance with a magnificent strike.
It was the fourth goal of what has been an impressive campaign by the Omagh man, who is sure to have his suitors in the winter months.
The Drogs have been relegated since a 2-1 loss to Derry City in Buncrana at the end of September, and it has been a trying time for Pete Mahon’s side – who hadn’t won since a 2-0 win here six months ago.
But they drew level in the 61st minute. Tommy McBride’s pass to Ciaran Coll didn’t quite have the necessary accuracy and Stephen Meaney teed up Mulhall to lob over the advanced Ciaran Gallagher.
With 17 minutes to go, substitute Thomas Byrne skipped past the challenge of Packie Mailey before firing past Gallagher from the edge of the box.
And Drogheda wrapped it up when Meaney shot home.
It ought to have been a different tale, though.
12 minutes into the second half, Danny Morrissey raced onto a one-v-one with McGuinness. After his initial attempt was saved, the striker’s follow-up was blocked. Morrissey had an instant chance to atone, but drilled off the crossbar with only McGuinness to beat.
It was a miss that proved to be the game’s turning point as Drogheda surged back for the win.
McAleer was certainly energised in the early moments and McGuinness did well to beat away a stinging effort by the Harps winger before a lobbed effort on the half-hour beat the goalkeeper only to drop onto the top of the net.
Anyone who thought this one didn’t matter much will have revisited those thoughts following that moment, in the 23rd minute, when Damien McNulty was pulled back by Mulhall in the Drogheda penalty box.
The ground waited for referee Thomas Connolly to point to the spot, but the whistle never came, leaving Horgan and assistant manager Paul Hegarty to make their displeasure known to fourth official John McLoughlin.
Gallagher saved at the feet of Stephen Meaney and a free-kick from Sean Russell spun wildly into the arms of the Harps ‘keeper as Drogheda sought a means of getting back into it.
Meaney was in again, but was denied by Gallagher in a lively start to what was the League of Ireland’s first game between two already-relegated teams since 1998, when Drogheda faced Kilkenny City.
With Eddie Dsane suspended and Sean Houston not deemed fit enough to start, there were two changes to the Harps XI, with Ibrahim Keita and and Mark Timlin recalled.
The game was called off on Friday night after heavy rainfall left the Finn Park surface unplayable. With Harps not playing, other results went against them – St Patrick’s Athletic defeated Cork City on Friday and Sligo Rovers overcame Derry 24 hours later – condemning Harps to the drop.
It must as felt as if Harps supporters were watching their own funeral being played out in front of them.
They had a brief cheer at the end as McAleer delightfully netted and the applause as the players departed was as sympathetic as it was supportive.
Finn Harps: Ciaran Gallagher; Damien McNulty (Shane Blaney 71), Packie Mailey, Kilian Cantwell, Ciaran Coll; Caolan McAleer, Gareth Harkin, Tommy McBride (Sean Houston 68), Mark Timlin (BJ Banda 77); Ibrahim Keita, Danny Morrissey.
Drogheda United: Stephen McGuinness; Shane Elworthy, Kevin Farragher, Stephen Dunne, Conor Kane; Chris Mulhall, Sean Brennan (Jamie Hollywood 77), Ryan McEvoy, Mark Doyle; Sean Russell (Thomas Byrne 69), Stephen Meaney (Jack Bailey 83).
Referee: Thomas Connolly (Dublin).
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