Play-off Report: UCD 0 - 1 Finn Harps

Finn Harps take a 1-0 lead into their second leg of the SSE Airtricity League First Division play-off after a Ciaran Coll header after just 25 seconds was the difference between the sides at the UCD Bowl on Friday evening.

In front of an inspired travelling support, Finn Harps made a dream start to Friday’s play-off when Ollie Horgan’s side took the lead with less than 30 seconds on the clock. Wilfried Tagbo broke down the right before his cross found Ciaran Coll unmarked at the back post and he calmly headed home from close range.

As the opening ten minutes progressed, UCD looked for a way back into the game and Gary O’Neill with some good play down the left wing earned his side a corner, but Maxi Kouogun headed wide from inside the penalty spot.

Soon after Kouogun’s missed effort the Students had another great opportunity when Jamie Doyle broke from a Harps corner, but his cross with the outside of his left boot failed to find a teammate with Packie Mailey clearing easily.

Despite falling behind early, UCD continued to create opportunities, with Jack Watson trying his luck, but his effort from outside the penalty area was directed straight at Ciaran Gallagher in the Harps net.

With less than twenty-five minutes on the clock, O’Neill was the next UCD player to strike on goal, but his two free-kicks in quick succession saw his teammates concede fouls to scuffle any opportunity on goal.

As Harps chances continued to be few and far between, Gareth Harkin will feel he should have doubled his side's advantage when he picked the ball up just inside the UCD half, he raced towards goal and beat several defenders however, his shot from inside the Students’ penalty area went the wrong side of Conor O'Donnell’s post.

With half-time fast approaching, both Jamie Doyle and Cannon had efforts on goal, but both Students players will be disappointed they failed to trouble Gallagher in Harps goal.

In a second-half that failed to spark early on, it was Harkin, who had the half’s first effort however, he failed to test the keeper with his free-kick. With a 1-0 lead, Harps continued to press for a second goal and Keith Cowan was next to try his luck from a corner, but he his header sailed wide.

Despite the visiting side, dominating the early second half exchanges, Mark Langtry showed his side would continue to fight, but his shot from the left edge of the box failed to trouble the Harps goal.

With UCD going in search of a valuable equaliser, Doyle will not want to see his effort again on video after the ball fell to the winger from a punch by the keeper, his subsequent effort then went out on the far side for a throw in.

As the side traded opportunities once again, second-half sub BJ Banda was next to try his luck when he attempted to lob O’Donnell, who was off his line, but luckily for the keeper the ball failed to trouble the goal.

Seconds after Banda’s miss, the Students had a great chance of their own to draw level, first O’Neill’s free-kick was not gathered by the keeper, the ball came to Ryan Swan who cut across the box to find space before his shot was blocked by the defender before Gallagher attempted to fall on the ball, but it fell to Tomas Boyle whose effort was cleared away for a throw in.

The Students, soon after had two quick chances, first an O’Neill free-kick hit Watson before O’Neill was again involved after Langtry played the ball across to the midfielder who fired over from the edge of the box.

With the final whistle fast approaching, Finn Harps though they had doubled their advantage after a Tony McNamee long throw sailed straight into the hosts net, but referee Connolly ruled the goal out as it was not touched by either side.

Seconds later, McNamee had his side's last opportunity when he saw the keeper off his line, but his volley from 25 yards sailed wide of the goal. Then with less than sixty seconds of normal time remaining, Jack Watson should have equalised for the Students when he raced through on goal, but his shot was straight at Gallagher in the Harps net.

UCD AFC: Conor O’Donnell: Mick Leahy, Maxi Kouogun (Daniel Tobin 34), Tomas Boyle, Mark Langtry: Jamie Doyle, Dylan Watts (Robbie Benson 57), Gary O’Neill, Jack Watson: Conor Cannon (Daire O’Connor 68), Ryan Swan.

Subs Not Used: Niall Corbet, Sean Coyne, Adam Harney, Eoin Kirwan.

Booked: Benson (58), O’Neill (95).

Finn Harps: Ciaran Gallagher: Damien McNulty, Keith Cowan, Packie Mailey, Ciaran Coll (Matt Crossan 27): Josh Mailey, Gareth Harkin, Raymond Foy, Tony McNamee: Wilfried Tagbo (BJ Banda 61), Kevin McHugh (Michael Funston 78).

Subs Not Used: Tommy McMonigle, Tommy Lee McCarron, Kieran McDaid, Nathan Boyle.

Booked: Cowan (22), McHugh (71).

Referee: Ben Connolly.

Attendance: 479.

Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Tony McNamee (Finn Harps).