Briefly, it seemed as if Finn Harps would take the First Division race to the last day of the season – but UCD wrapped up the title thanks to Conor Davis’ goal.
UCD 1 Finn Harps 1
When Keith Cowan put Harps in front ten minutes from the end, the big away support sense a possible shift in the Division’s plates.
But their lead – and their hopes – lasted barely a minute.
UCD centred and, instantly, Davis got free and scampered in to tuck past Ciaran Gallagher for a goal that sealed the title for UCD.
Cowan had fired home from Gareth Harkin’s corner to give Harps the lead, but it was agony on the campus for Ollie Horgan’s team.
For Harps, the maths were simple: They had to win to take the title race to the final night of the campaign with UCD comforted in the knowledge that a draw would suffice for them to be crowned champions.
Harps had a glorious chance to hit the front 20 minutes from the end.
Niall Logue, on loan from Derry City, riffled over the bar from close range. As UCD failed to deal with a set piece, Logue pounced, but the defender was unable to keep his composure.
Harps showed three changes to the side that had beaten Galway United 2-0 a fortnight ago. in-form Mikey Place, their top scorer, was absent because of a suspension and Mark Timlin missed out through an injury picked up in a friendly against the Donegal League’s Oscar Traynor team last Wednesday.
There was no place in the starting XI for Nathan Boyle on a night when Jesse Devers and John O’Flynn came into the equation and Jacob Borg returned from suspension to reclaim his spot.
O’Flynn went close after just 15 minutes. The Cork man got away from his man to connect to a deep Devers cross, but he couldn’t get his effort beyond UCD goalkeeper Conor Kearns.
Soon after, Kearns was forced into a save by Devers, who headed at the ‘keeper after a Ciaran Coll throw-in was helped on by Sam Todd.
UCD boss Collie O’Neill kept faith with the same team that began last week’s FAI Cup quarter-final win over Premier Division Waterford United, when Conor Davis and Timmy Molloy netted the goals in the first half.
Here, the Students didn’t get through too much in the first half. UCD had beaten Harps in their previous two meetings this season. Indeed, their win in Ballybofey in June represented the last time Harps were beaten in the League.
Gary O’Neill fashioned a good opening for the hosts late in the first half, but he fired wide from 18 yards after getting a slight chance.
UCD: Conor Kearns; Dan Tobin, Liam Scales, Josh Collins, Evan Osan (Paul Doyle 54); Neil Farrugia, Greg Sloggett, Gary O’Neill, Jason McClelland; Timmy Molloy (Daire O’Connor 72), Conor Davis. (Yousef Mahdy (92)
Finn Harps: Ciaran Gallagher; Niall Logue (Timmie Sobowale 79), Keith Cowan, Sam Todd; John Kavanagh, Jacob Borg, Mark Coyle (Paddy McCourt 73), Gareth Harkin, Ciaran Coll; Jesse Devers; John O’Flynn (Nathan Boyle 62).
Referee: David Keeler.
