Finn Harps to face Drogheda, who defeat nine-man Shels on penalties

Finn Harps will face Drogheda United in the First Division play-off final after the County Louth side overcame Shelbourne on penalties tonight.

Goalkeeper Paul Skinner saved two penalties as Drogheda scraped past nine-man Shelbourne to tee up a meeting with Harps, whose manager Ollie Horgan was in the stands at Tolka Park.

Shelbourne led 1-0 from the first leg on Friday, but Reece McEnteer was booked twice and sent off in the 11th minute.

Drogheda levelled the tie through Sean Brennan, before James English – who netted Shels’ goal in the first leg – was sent off. 

Chris Lyons had Drogheda ahead but Shelbourne, somehow, found a way as Adam Evans fired in an equaliser. 

Mark Doyle fired home the winning penalty after Evans and Lorcan Fitzgerald were denied by Skinner.

Harps will be quite content for Drogheda to have had a gruelling two hours ahead of Friday’s first leg at United Park.

The return leg at Finn Park will be on Friday-week with the winners of the tie moving on to face Limerick in the promotion-relegation play-off.