Dundalk 1 - 0 Drogheda United

Dundalk captain Stephen O’Donnell led by example, scoring a dramatic late winner to give his side not only Louth bragging rights in the derby but a vital three points in their hunt for the title.

The midfielder struck with three minutes left on the clock, capitalising on a defensive error, to give his side a win in a game in which Drogheda were perhaps worthy of their point.

The sides had an even record going into this clash with both winning on opposition turf and one draw having taken place between the sides already in 2013.

After a slow start to the opening exchanges, it was Gavin Brennan who eluded the Dundalk defence on the left, finding space and drilling across goal but Peter Cherrie got down well to smother.

It was a very cagey opening from both given the occasion and Dundalk perhaps succumbed to the nerves of knowing that a win would move them level with St Pat’s ahead of their vital visit to Inchicore.

Richie Towell then spotted Michael Schlingermann off his line with a free kick from inside the Drogheda half after 20 minutes and attempted to loft it over his head but he backpedalled well to catch.

The visitors then threatened when the ball sat up nicely for Cathal Brady on the edge of the area but he volleyed over the crossbar.

On an incisive break at the other end, Darren Meenan tore down the middle and fed Towell to his right and he again tried to glide his shot over the head of Schlingermann but once more he was equal to it.

Declan O’Brien then beat the offside trap as the game opened up and fed David Cassidy whose drive was brilliantly blocked by the head of O’Donnell before Cherrie dived low to save from Gavin Brennan’s header following the corner.

It was Mick Cooke’s men who began to boss the game and thought they were ahead when Mick Daly headed home a Cassidy corner but referee Alan Kelly judged there had been a shove and disallowed the goal.

That said, Dundalk did have a decent opportunity before the half time whistle blew when O’Donnell orchestrated a fine passing move before thumping a half volley towards goal that ended up over the top.

Mark Rossiter almost had Schlingermann worried at the start of the second half with a cross that ended up almost looping into the far corner as Dundalk probed for the opener without any real penetration against a strong Drogs defence.         

They had Cherrie to thank that they were not behind when he pulled of a fine stop, leaping to tip over Declan O’Brien’s header from a Daly cross before O’Donnell lashed a low drive only inches wide of the post for the Lilywhites.

Chris Shields then put a sensational block to deny Cassidy after he had weaved his way into the box and looked to have the goal at his mercy before Alan Byrne scooped over after a Cassidy delivery had caused problems in the area.

However, with three minutes remaining, Schlingermann rolled out to Alan McNally and he got the ball caught up in his feet, allowing O’Donnell to pounce and run through to roll home the most dramatic of late goals and secure a momentous derby victory.

Dundalk: Peter Cherrie; Mark Rossiter, Andy Boyle, Chris Shields, Dane Massey; Tiarnan Mulvenna (John Dillon 36), John Mountney (Francis McCaffrey 59), Richie Towell, Stephen O’Donnell (c), Darren Meenan (John Sullivan 90); Pat Hoban.
Subs not used: Aaron Shanahan, John Sullivan, Simon Kelly, Jordan Keegan, Vinny Faherty.

Booked: Shields (26), S O'Donnell (39), Meenan (67).
Sent Off: Shields (90+3).
 

Drogheda United: Michael Schlingermann; Mick Daly (Gary O’Neill 89), Derek Prendergast (c), Alan McNally, Shane Grimes; Cathal Brady (Paul O’Conor 67), David Cassidy, Alan Byrne, Gavin Brennan, Ryan Brennan; Declan O’Brien.
Subs not used: Gabriel Sava, Philip Hand, Peter Hynes, Eric Foley, Jason Marks.

Booked: Daly (70), G Brennan (90+1)

Referee: Alan Kelly.

Attendance: 3,324.

Exrtatime.ie Man of the Match: Stephen O’Donnell (Dundalk).