Sport

Martin steps up to claim points

National League Premier Division/Finn Harps - 1 UCD - 2: Finn Harps' hopes of avoiding the automatic relegation spot in the …

Mon Nov 07 2005 - 00:00

National League Premier Division/Finn Harps - 1 UCD - 2: Finn Harps' hopes of avoiding the automatic relegation spot in the Eircom National League Premier Division were virtually extinguished on Saturday night as they lost 2-1 at home to UCD. Indeed, the Donegal club will be relegated this evening if Shamrock Rovers beat high-flying Cork City in a rescheduled game.

But even if Rovers fail to collect any points, the outlook is still bleak for Harps. In order to get the play-off spot, Harps will have to win their two remaining games while Rovers would have to lose their final three fixtures. "At the end of the day, league tables do not lie. You can talk about bad luck and not getting the breaks, but we have just not been good enough," acknowledged player-manager Anthony Gorman.

Harps have won just five times in 31 league outings, and have never been out of the bottom two.

UCD came to Finn Park knowing that a win would virtually guarantee them Premier status, but they had to come from behind to take all three points.

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"We got off to a dream start with Kevin McHugh scoring after just three minutes and after that you would have expected us to build on things, just as we did against Longford (when they won 5-0)," Gorman stated.

UCD went in level at the break thanks to a 10th minute equaliser from Tony McDonnell. Harps did improve after the break and Stephen Capper had a goal disallowed after Chris Breen was adjudged to have fouled Brian Shorthall.

But UCD took the points, thanks to a disputed 85th minute penalty, awarded against Gorman for a challenge on McDonnell. Robbie Martin, who missed his last two penalties, duly obliged from the spot. "It shows a lot about his character that he stepped up to take this one," said UCD manager Pete Mahon.

FINN HARPS: Cullen; McGee, Minnock, Asokuh, Bradley, McGowan, Capper, McGrenaghan, Breen, McHugh, Gorman. Sub: Gethins for Capper (73 mins).

UCD: Quigley; Mahon, O'Donnell, Kenna, Shorthall, McDonnell, Hurley, Dicker, Martin, Dupuy, McWalter. Subs: Gannon for Hurley (29 mins), Doyle for Dupuy (76 mins).

Referee: D McKeon (Dublin).