SEAN Boyd hailed Finn Harps’ spirit after their thrilling FAI Cup draw with Dundalk on Friday.
Boyd struck a late double in Friday’s 3-3 draw as Harps secured a quarter-final replay.
After pulling a goal back in the 84th minute, Boyd’s decisive 95th minute strike secured a dramatic draw.
“That’s what I come off the bench to do,” Boyd said.
“I wasn’t just coming on to float around. I’m coming on to make a difference.
“It’s what I planned to go out to do, even though I didn’t expect it to happen that way.”
Harps led through Tunde Owolabi’s opener, but the night swung five minutes later. Referee Damien McGraith controversially sent Harps full-back Jordan Mustoe off for a handball infringement and Pat Hoban netted from the penalty.
Sean Murray drilled Dundalk in front and Hoban’s second, a 65th minute header, had the Lilywhites 3-1 ahead.
The ten men rallied and refused to wilt.
Boyd said: “It was very impressive. The lads really dug in. There was a spell where Dundalk looked like they’d score more goals, but the lads dug in and defended well. They left it with a slight chance of doing something.
“Barry (McNamee) said to us: ‘go on and make a difference’. That’s what happened and that’s why we have a squad.”
Boyd returned to Harps this season after over a year out with injury. The Dubliner suffered a ruptured cruciate and torn meniscus at the end of 2019.
He said: “I feel now I’m in a position where I can have a little push. I played against Bohemians on Monday and had to look after myself because it’s been a while since I played that long in a game.
“I want to play as much football as I can.”
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