League Report: Dundalk 0 - 0 Finn Harps

David Wilson reports from Oriel Park

It was a European hangover for Dundalk as they dropped two points at home to a sturdy Finn Harps side in a scoreless draw on Sunday. A dogged effort from Harps ensured that Ollie Horgan’s men went back to Ballybofey with a well-earned and well-deserved point.  

Dundalk made ten changes from their win in the Aviva midweek as only stalwart Brian Gartland remained.

The Donegal side implemented their usual 3-5-2 shape and tried to overload the midfield areas. Dundalk played their typical 4-3-3 formation, with Chris Shields sitting at the base of the midfield.

100 fans again were welcomed into Oriel Park as Louth remains at level 2 national restrictions.

Finn Harps had not claimed victory in Oriel Park since 2006, however they made all the initial pressing as they pinned Dundalk in their own defensive third for much of the opening ten minutes. 

They were awarded an indirect free kick after three minutes when John Mountney was adjudged to have passed the ball back to ‘keeper Aaron McCarey, even though it looked like the crucial touch came from Harps attacker. The free kick was a poor effort and did not test the home side when they probably should have at least worked the goalkeeper.

It took a piece of magic from Joradan Flores to provide the attacking spark for Dundalk’s opening chance. He spun Dave Webster out on the left before whipping in a delicious cross to David McMillan but somehow, he could not direct goalward from seven yards out.

It took 20 minutes before the home side could shake off the European hangover. Head coach Filippo Giovagnoli maintained that his side play out from the back despite the occasional high press from Harps.

This nearly paid dividends as Gartland sucked in a Harps midfielder before finding striker McMillan and his first-time pass set the sprinting Dan Kelly off down the right. Ultimately his cross came to nothing, but it did give the homes side fresh attacking impetus.



It continued to be attack versus defence as Dundalk piled forward in the latter part of the half. Nathan Oduwa playing from the left looked bright and tested Mark McGinley twice in the Harps’ goal.

Oduwa and Kelly both continued to take on the Harps wingbacks as they made the run from outside to inside and were nearly rewarded for their efforts only for their touch to let them down.

The biggest shout of the half came right at the whistle when Oduwa danced by Webster again and looked to receive a shove in the back. However, referee Paul McLaughlin decided there was not enough in it to award a penalty much to the disappointment of enraged Dundalk assistant manager Giuseppe Rossi.

The second half saw the introduction of a triple Dundalk change as Michael Duffy, Greg Sloggett and Patrick McEleney were brought into the fold just ten minutes in. 

McEleney looked to bring his usual flair and creativity as Duffy played on the left and Sloggett played much further forward than he did on Thursday night.

Dundalk huffed and puffed but in attacking sense remained blunt as Harps well drilled defensive shape caused problems.



A moment of genius from McEleney nearly unlocked the door as he attempted to chip McGinley from 50 yards. The effort had the ‘keeper scrambling but it just went over the bar. 

Harps continued to dig in, if their away support had of been here, they would have loved their sides doggedness. Barry McNamee continued to be their brightest outlet in an attacking sense as he stung McCarey’s gloves with ten minutes to go.

Just two minutes later Sloggett looked to have been pushed in the back much like Liam Scales was in the game against Shamrock Rovers last Sunday, but again the referee waved away protests. The home bench was livid.

As the clock ticked toward 95 minutes, Duffy beautifully controlled before firing his volley just wide of the target and at that, Dundalk knew the game was up.

Europa League group stage qualification or not, Dundalk lie sixth in the table , two points off Waterford in third. The away game against St. Patricks Athletic will go a long way to decide who claims third position and European football next year.

The dropped points also mean they have relinquished their league title - only Shamrock Rovers and Bohemians can win become champions now.

Harps will be delighted; they moved a point further away from Cork City and remain two points behind Shelbourne in eighth  as the race to stay up continues to intensify.

Dundalk: Aaron McCarey; John Mountney, Brian Gartland, Andy Boyle, Cameron Dummigan; Chris Shields (c), Jordan Flores (Michael Duffy 55), Will Patching (Patrick McEleney 55); Daniel Kelly (Gregg Sloggett 55), Nathan Oduwa (Stefan Colovic 63); David McMillan

Unused Substitutes: Gary Rogers (GK), Dan Cleary, Stefan Colovic, Joshua Gatt.

Booked: None 

Finn Harps: Mark McGinley; Kosovar Sadiki, David Webster, Stephen Folan; Karl O’Sullivan (Ryan Connolly 75), Shane McEleney, Mark Russell, Gareth Harkin (C) (Adam Foley 75), Leo Donnellan (Tony McNamee 90 +4) ; Barry McNamee, Alexander Kogler (Mark Coyle 67)

Unused Substitutes:  Raffaele Cretaro, Sam Todd, Patrick McGarvey 

Booked: Stephan Folan (38)

Attendance: 100

Referee: Paul McLaughlin

Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Kosovar Sadiki (Finn Harps)

    About David Wilson

    View Full Profile