Clancy set for Harps visit to Drogheda

Trim man Timmy Clancy will have his Drogheda Utd side firing on all cylinders for the visit of Finn Harps to United Park this Friday night, 7.45pm.

Drogheda will tackle Harps in the first leg of the second round play-offs in the First Division as they aim for Premier status next season.

Clancy's men over-turned a one-goal first-leg deficit in the First Division play-off against Shelbourne at Tolka Park on Monday night to win on penalties.

The reward now is another two-legged play-off against First Division runners-up Finn Harps with the winner of that tie going on to face Limerick in the Premier League play-off.

Monday night's 2-1 victory against nine-man Shelbourne brought the tie to a penalty shoot-out as the Dublin side had beaten Drogheda by 1-0 in the first leg at United Park last Friday night.

Sean Brennan and Chris Lyons scored the Drogheda goals as the hosts had Reece McEnteer and James English red-carded in the opening half.

Shelbourne hit a 77th minute equaliser that brought the game to extra-time and then to penalties.

Drogheda's Paul Skinner saved twice as Clancy's men advanced by 4-2 in the shoot-out

Clancy was serving a four-game ban arising out of a suspension imposed after an FAI Cup tie against Waterford Utd and had to watch from the stand on Friday and Monday, but the suspension is now completed and he will be back in the dugout for the visit of Harps this Friday night.

The winner of that tie will then go on to face the ninth-placed Premier Division side in a two-leg encounter and that will be Limerick after the weekend Premier action saw Bray's automatic relegation confirmed when they lost (1-2) to Sligo Rovers who are now safe from the drop.

FRIDAY NIGHT
United Park - Drogheda Utd v Finn Harps, 7.45pm.