Dundalk and Finn Harps share the spoils in pre-season friendly

It ended all square in Finn Harps' opening pre-season encounter away to Premier Division Dundalk at Oriel Park.

Dundalk 0-0 Finn Harps

With Dave Rogers in charge for the first time, the home side thought they had nicked it in injury time with Louis Annesley scoring, only to be flagged for offside. 

Rogers' team went closest in the second half with an effort off the line by Cameron Elliott and Mark Byrne to keep out an effort from a Harps trialist number wearing the No7 jersey.

Harps had 10 trial players in all, with Keith Cowan back in the blue and white having left the club ahead of the 2020 season. Ryan Rainey was the only Harps player to start against the same opponents when they last faced each other in October.

In the first half, Dundalk had the better of the few chances with Pat Hoban and Ryan O'Kane going close with Harps new German goalkeeper Tim-Oliver Heimer saving from Senan Mullen.

The Finn Harps team wore black armbands during tonight's game to remember volunteer Ronan Roddy, who sadly passed away during the week. They play Derry City on Sunday.

Dundalk: Nathan Shepperd; Trialist 27, Andy Boyle, Keith Ward, Hayden Muller;  Alfie Lewis, Senan Mullen, Paul Doyle, Connor Malley; Ryan O’Kane, Patrick Hoban. Subs: Mark Byrne, Luke Mulligan, Louie Annesley, Eoin Kenny, Cameron Elliott, Callum Bonner, Oisin Coleman, Jake Hough, Anthony Mayo

Finn Harps: Tim-Oliver Heimer; Caoimhin Porter, Daithi McCallion, Keith Cowan, Trialist No 3; Sean O'Donnell, Ryan Rainey, Trialist No 8, Seamas Keogh; Michael Harris, Trialist No 9. Subs: Trialist No 40 (GK), Trialist No 6, Trialist No 4, Kevin Jordan, Brendan McLaughlin, Shaunie Bradley, Trialist No 10, Trialist No 19, Trialist No 20, Trialist No 21.