Tim Clancy says Drogheda United are ‘riding a wave of momentum’ as they prepare to face Finn Harps in the first leg of their First Division play-off this evening at United Park.
Harps have been idle from competitive action for the last three weeks, but Drogheda had to overcome Shelbourne in a dramatic play-off.
Clancy’s men prevailed against nine-man Shels on penalties after a 2-2 aggregate stalemate.
“There’s definitely an advantage for Harps having had the break but there’s nothing we can do about it now,” Clancy said.
“Ollie (Horgan) has put together a really experienced side with quality in every position but we’re riding a wave of momentum after winning three in four, all intense, high-pressured games.
“I said it last week and it proved through, nothing will be won or lost regardless of the result.
“We don’t want to be giving ourselves another mountain to climb next week in Ballybofey.”
Drogheda will be without Jake Hyland and Lee Duffy and Clancy admits that he was put through the wringer on Monday night.
“It was a crazy night,” he sais.
“It was a huge ask for us to turnaround the first leg defeat and regardless of the circumstances, the players deserve great credit for progressing through the tie.
“It’s not that often that you actually play against ten men, let alone nine, so that brought its own challenges but Shels were fantastic on the night, they never gave up.”
The return leg will take place at Finn Park next Friday night with the winner of the tie meeting Limerick over two legs in the promotion-relegation play-off final.
