Kelly strikes late equaliser as Finn Harps WU17 draw with Drogheda

A late Cliodhna Kelly goal saw Finn Harps WU17 draw with Drogheda United on Saturday at the Letterkenny Community Centre.

The Tier Two match between the pair on three points saw few goalscoring opportunities in the first half, but Rebecca Purcell’s free kick gave the visitors the lead on 50 minutes.

But that really woke up Paddy McDaid’s side, who were well on top for the remainder of the game, and Kelly’s strike from distance late on gave them a well-deserved point.

In a first half with few chances, Harps striker Lily Rodgers chased plenty of long balls, but the Drogheda centre-back pairing were solid.

Rodgers did get in behind after a Claragh Gallagher pass, but she dragged the shot just wide.

After this, Drogheda had a couple of chances, first as Purcell fired over the bar with a volley from a throw, while Kaitlin Dillon beat two players outside the box but her near-post effort was saved by Mary Bridget McKeever.

After great control from Sophie O’Boyle to get a shot away, McKeever was again equal to the effort, while a Rachel Harron volley at the other end was saved at the second attempt by Isabelle Moore.

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It remained scoreless at half-time, but less than five minutes later the deadlock was broken.

It came as Drogheda won a free down the left, with Purcell curling it towards the far corner over Caoimhe McLaughlin.

But after this, it was all Finn Harps, especially in the last 20 minutes.

Sarah Mulvaney Kelly was a half-time substitute and caused a handful for the Drogheda centre-halves, first heading wide from a Sophie Doherty cross.

The save of the game followed soon after, with Megan Gallagher’s long-range free curling towards the far corner, but a fingertip save from Isabelle Moore kept Drogheda ahead.

Mulvaney Kelly had a shot saved after this, and after a Cliodhna Kelly pass, Mulvaney Kelly was played in again, but her near post effort went just wide.

And with two minutes remaining, the Harps got their equaliser after a ball forward was headed back to Cliodhna Kelly, who took a touch and fired into the top right corner.

Paddy McDaid’s side were hunting for a winner after this, with Mulvaney Kelly getting in behind, but Chloe O’Neill made a super tackle to deny her.

Ava Greer then had a wayward shot, while O’Neill blocked another Mulvaney Kelly effort in added time as the spoils were shared.

Finn Harps: Mary Bridget McKeever (Caoimhe McLaughlin ht); Erin Nelis (Bronagh Gallen 27), Brooke Byrne, Megan Gallagher, Sophie Doherty; Claragh Gallagher (Shauna Doogan 27), Aishling Duffy, Ava Greer (Cliodhna Kelly ht), Hannah Goudie (Rachel Harron 27), Amy McAteer; Lily Rodgers (Sarah Mulvaney Kelly ht).

Drogheda United: Isabelle Moore; Lucy Caswell, Isabelle Emmett, Chloe O’Neill, Isabelle McKeever; Rebecca Purcell, Alannah Brown, Sophie O’Boyle, Saoirse Elmer, Kaitlin Dillon (Lucy Dunne ht); Lucy Haugh (Lucy Groves ht).

Referee: John Coll.