Finn Harps secure first point of the season in hard-fought UCD draw

Finn Harps earned their first point of the 2025 League of Ireland First Division after a hard-fought 1-1 draw with Dublin side UCD at the UCD Bowl on Friday night. 

Darren Murphy’s men saw themselves behind at the interval with Adam Brennan putting the Students ahead courtesy of a 40th minute goal. 

READ NEXT: Ulster squad set for FAI Youth Inter-Pro challenge this weekend

However, the Donegal side battled back in the second stanza and Gavin Hodgkins marked his first start of the campaign with a superb strike seven minutes after the restart to earn his side a share of the spoils. 

UCD began the brighter of the two sides in the opening stages, enjoying the lion share of possession and creating a number of chances but none significant enough to challenge David Aziaya in the Finn Harps goal. 

On the half-hour mark, the hosts came close to breaking the deadlock. Ronan Finn rifled a shot from distance but David Aziaya got down low and produced a superb save to deny the midfielder. 

Just a few minutes later the Dublin side had the ball in the back of the net when Jake Doyle got on the end of an Adam Brennan cross but referee John Walsh ruled the effort out, deeming the use of a hand was involved in the buildup. 

An opportunity soon presented itself for the visitors as striker Dara McGuinness did well to create an opening for himself down the right-hand side of the UCD defence but his drilled effort hit the side netting. 

On the 40 minute mark, the students managed to break the deadlock. Michael McCullagh whipped a dangerous ball across the face of the Finn Harps goal and following a scramble, Adam Brennan was on hand to slot the ball home to give the home side a half-time lead.

Darren Murphy’s men made a better start to the second stanza than they had in the first and got themselves back on level terms just seven minutes after the restart. 

The ball ricocheted around the UCD box before falling to the feet of Gavin Hodgins and the forward fired the ball past Kian Moore and into the top corner.  

Finn Harps continued to apply pressure on the UCD backline and came close to hitting the front when Gavin Hodgkins got on the end of a Gavin Gilmore delivery before shooting with the use of a rabona, but it was headed clear by Eanna Clancy.

As the clock at the UCD Bowl entered red, the students came close to grabbing themselves a late winner. A fantastic set-piece delivery from Adam Verdon was met by the head of Niall Holohan but David Aziaya once again pulled off a fantastic save to deny the UCD defender. 

It was a frantic closing couple of minutes as both outfits searched for the vital goal that would earn them all three points however, referee John Walsh soon called an end to proceedings to mark a first league point of the season for Darren Murphy and his Finn Harps side. 

Finn Harps: David Aziaya; Max Hutchinson, Conor Tourish, Kevin Jordan, Joel Thompson (Aaron McLaughlin, 95), Anthony Dodd (David Cawley, 75), Tony McNamee, Michael Place, Patrick Ferry, Dara McGuinness (Gavin Gilmore, 65), Gavin Hodgins (Gradi Lomboto, 75). 

UCD: Kian Moore; Niall Holohan, Eanna Clancy, Cathal McCarthy (Colin Bolton, 77), Adam Wells, Michael McCullagh (Matthew Alonge, 86), Killian Cailloce (Michael Raggett, 83), Ronan Finn (Brian McManus, 77), Adam Verdon, Adam Brennan, Jake Doyle. 

Referee: John Walsh