- Chris McNulty
- Tue, Sep 17 2013
Mick Cooke mightn't be having his contract renewed at the end of the season, but he's determined to go out on a high and, just a week after it was announced that his contract as Drogheda United manager won't be renewed at the season's end, his side booked a home FAI Cup semi-final against Louth rivals Dundalk.
Five days before taking on Shamrock Rovers in the EA Sports Cup final, Declan O'Brien and David Cassidy netted second-half goals to steer Drogheda to an FAI Cup quarter final replay win over game First Division side Finn Harps.
This tie was in the balance, with only O'Brien's 50th minute opener separating them - until Cassidy tapped home in the 92nd minute. Fourth official Paul Tuite's board had signalled six minutes to be added and the visitors dared to dream. Then, Ryan Brennan broke through and squared past Ciaran Gallagher to allow Cassidy tuck into the unguarded net.
The Drogs went in front five minutes into part two. Shane Grimes and Cassidy worked the opening on the right flank. The former's cross was met by Philip Hand, but after his skewed effort was blocked, O'Brien crashed home from close range. O'Brien got in behind again soon after but, from close to the byline, the striker's effort was turned out by Ciaran Gallagher.
As Harps sought a way back into the tie, surely buoyed by the news of a home draw for the winners, Thomas McMonagle stung the palms of Michael Schlingermann with a free, that was only gathered at the second attempt. Harps were rocked, though, when McNulty was shown a second yellow card twenty minutes from the end.
David Cassidy had fouled Michael Funston in the centre circle and McNulty reacted, rather needlessly, dashing to push the Drogheda player in the back which resulted in linesman Ciaran Delaney reporting the defender to referee Derek Tomney, who showed yellow, then red.
Drogheda could have sewn up the tie, but Peter Hynes opted for the jugular when one-on-one with Gallagher, the Harps netminder left with a routine save. McMonagle went close again but, two minutes from the end, he drove wide from distance.
Harps showed just one change to their line-up from that which had been denied a semi-final berth three days earlier as Mick Daly's 85th minute goal on Friday earned the Drogs stalemate in Ballybofey. Mark Forker was reinstated to the Harps midfield in place of Ciaran Coll, suspended following his red card in the first instalment.
Harps seemed a little more adventurous this time around with Pat McCann stationed just behind McHugh in a 4-4-1-1 formation. At one stage midway through the first half, manager Peter Hutton could be heard instructing his players: 'You're sitting too deep'.
Their fist purposeful foray came around this time with Mark Forker's teasing low cross just too low to Michael Schlingermann after McHugh did superbly to work the ball out to Shaun McGowan on the edge of the box. Then, McCann did well to get a cross away but Tommy Bonner's half volley sailed over the crossbar.
Friday's hero, Michael Daly, missed out for the hosts through a suspension, as did Gavin Brennan, with Hand and Peter Hynes the men to profit. Hynes had a sight of the target, but a stabbed effort in the 18th minute failed to trouble Gallagher, after an earlier chip by David Cassidy had a similar result.
O'Brien was put through by Brennan, but shot wide, before Brennan wrangled away from Funston before a teasing cross was met by O'Brien, whose near-post header was just off target.
Late in the half, Harps came close themselves with Keith Cowan's powerful header well turned over by Schlingermann, before O'Brien headed wide just when the Drogs were beginning to turn the screw. They didn't waste time after the restart to make it count - O'Brien's strike followed by the late clincher from Cassidy to secure a mouth-watering Louth derby against Dundalk in the semi-finals.
Drogheda United: Michael Schlingermann; Shane Grimes, Derek Prendergast, Paul O'Connor, Alan McNally; Ryan Brennan, Alan Byrne (Eric Foley 74), David Cassidy, Philip Hand; Declan O'Brien, Peter Hynes (Graham Rusk 84).
Subs not used: Gabriel Sava (gk), Gavan Holohan, Cathal Brady, Jason Marks.
Finn Harps: Ciaran Gallagher; Damien McNulty, Keith Cowan, Josh Mailey, Thomas McMonagle; Mark Forker (Paul McVeigh 72), Thomas Bonnar (Jordan Duffy 90), Shaun McGowan, Michael Funston (Gary Merritt 84); Pat McCann; Kevin McHugh.
Subs not used: Shaun Patton, Lee Toland, Shane McGinty, Johnny Bonner.
Referee: Derek Tomney (Dublin).
Attendance:
Extratime.ie Man of the Match: David Cassidy (Drogheda United).
