UCD win basement battle to relegate Finn Harps

Finn Harps' four-year stint in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division came to an end when UCD came from a goal down with Tommy Lonergan scoring twice late on to seal victory in Ballybofey.

Conor Tourish’s first-half header put Harps in front but while the ink was still wet on the notepads UCD were back on terms through an absolute thunderbolt from Mark Dignam.

Just when it looked like going down to the wire, Lonergan popped up with two late goals - the second of which was a disputed penalty - to confirm UCD’s place in the promotion-relegation play-offs against whoever comes through the First Division minefield.

With the Students having gathered four points from their last two outings, it meant they made the trek to the north-west as the ones with the cushion and more than aware of the fact a win would relegate Harps there and then.

From the three meetings this term, UCD had picked up seven points from nine, which proved to be a considerable factor in their placement above their hosts.

Horgan had challenged his side in the build-up to the game to prove they are a "proper team" and he took up position on the sidelines in vocal fashion on the sidelines. His opposition number Andy Meyler watched on from afar, serving the first of a two-game suspension with Horgan's former assistant William O’Connor patrolling the technical area.

Dara Keane got over Ethan Boyle on 19 minutes to head low and not far wide as right-back, Michael Gallagher from Letterkenny, crossed. Harps' threats were sourced from more direct school of throught, mainly Regan Donelan corner-kicks and throw-ins from Boyle.

On 28 minutes, it was Donelan, this time from a free-kick from in front of a stand, who swung in and Conor Tourish’s downward header coming in at