Keith Cowan wants the whole county of Donegal behind Finn Harps tonight as they look to salvage their Premier Division status.
Traditionally one of the toughest venues for visiting teams, skipper Cowan hopes Finn Park can remain true to its reputation as First Division Drogheda arrive defending a 1-0 lead.
Ollie Horgan’s side thought they had done enough to take home a 0-0 draw in Monday night’s first leg at United Park.
But up popped Drogs’ 15-goal top scorer Chris Lyons three minutes into stoppage time to win it on the night for Tim Clancy’s hopefuls.
Cowan knows Harps remain very much in it and with a big home crowd behind them they can overturn that deficit and stay in the top flight.
Recent history is on Harps’ side as they’ve won their last four play-off ties under boss Horgan.
They were promoted last year after beating Drogheda in the semi-final before then accounting for Premier side Limerick in the decider.
And coming from behind is not alien to Horgan’s side either as they have the memorable 2015 extra-time win over a fancied Limerick to call on for inspiration.
Harps have also never lost a home leg in the play-offs.
“We’re very much in it,” said central defender Cowan. “And with Finn Park having been a difficult place for many teams to get a result this year, we’ll hope that’s the same case tonight.
“As a group we have to come together and be better than we were last week. With the help of the fans, we can create a really great atmosphere and a tough place for Drogheda to come and play.
“It’s important that we get the backing of the whole county to help our cause.”
Goalkeeper Ciaran Gallagher is Horgan’s only absentee but midfielder Mark Timlin remains a doubt.
Skipper Jake Hyland is Drogheda’s only injury concern.
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