Drogheda United secure top-flight football for 2021 after edging Bray to the First Division title

A journey which ended in anguish following Harry Ascroft’s goal late into the Finn Park night last November was finally put right almost twelve months later when strikes from James Brown and Luke Heeney left Drogheda United as First Division champions 2020.

Last season, Tim Clancy’s men were in the driving seat heading to Ballybofey, courtesy of a first leg Chris Lyons finish, and just needed to avoid defeat to see a return to the Premier Division. However, defeated they were and the 2020 season opened with a First Division schedule to be followed in the quest for promotion.

An opening night victory away to Cobh saw starting debuts for David Odumosu in goal, the former Dundalk Under 19 netminder was one of Clancy’s first signings over the off season, ex UCD man Richie O’Farrell, the reliable Derek Prendergast fresh from promotion with Shelbourne and ex Cabinteely defender Jack Tuite.

A defeat at home to Longford, followed by a 5-1 home thumping of UCD saw the Drogs with 6 points from their opening three games before the league shut down. Two draws in their opening three games following the restart, away to both Shamrock Rovers II (2-2) and Athlone Town (3-3), sandwiched a 1-0 victory at home to Galway- courtesy of a Chris Lyons penalty.

Wexford (3-0) and Cabinteely (5-1) were also accounted for, while in between Cobh took revenge for their defeat earlier in the season to record a 1-0 victory at United Park. 

However, that Ramblers defeat only served to spur the Boynesiders on and they went on a five match unbeaten streak, beginning with that 5-1 win over Cabinteely - a result which was the Stradbrook side’s third consecutive league defeat.

A Jordan Adeyemo goal snatched a draw away to Longford before Mark Doyle notched two in a 3-1 win over UCD- a game in which Odumosu saved a penalty at 2-1. Doyle went on to score a hat trick in the next game, against Shamrock Rovers II (3-2) and subsequently the winner against Bray to leave Drogheda well placed for promotion with 30 points from 14 games. The win allowed them to leapfrog The Seagulls who remained on 29 points in second place.

The First Division doesn’t allow happy endings to occur smoothly though as Athlone, similar to Cobh, took revenge for an away defeat by defeating the Drogs at United Park and Bray beat UCD 3-1 to retake the lead at the top of the division with three games remaining.

In the battle of the green hoops, Bray defeated Shamrock Rovers II 2-0 while a double from Brandon Bermingham was crucial in a 3-1 win away to Galway to leave Bray two points clear at the top of the table with two games to go last weekend.

A Bray win over the Tribesmen coupled with a defeat for Drogheda at home to Wexford would see the First Division trophy on its way to the Carlisle Grounds.

However, as is the trend this season in the First Division, there were more twists and turns on the road ahead as a late Carlton Ubaezuono strike coupled with a 2-0 win for Drogheda saw the lead switch hands at the top of the division with Drogheda knowing that a win on the final day would see them win the First Division trophy for the first time since 2001/02 and get their hands on their first piece of national silverware since the 2012 League Cup.

Tonight saw Bray Wanderers briefly lead the table as a Ryan Graydon strike saw them take a 1-0 victory over Athlone before Brown and Heeney’s second half goals, coupled with a David Odumosu penalty save meant the First Division table finished with the Louth side in possession of top spot at the end of proceedings.

While the 13 goals of Mark Doyle were often the difference, especially towards the latter end of the season, in truth it was a real team effort from Tim Clancy’s troops. Odumosu, in his maiden season at this level, was a massive presence between the sticks, full backs Brown and Conor Kane were a constant source of attacking threats with two goals and six assists between them and the experienced heads of Douglas and Prendergast provided leadership.

In the middle, the youthful exuberance of O’Farrell and Bermingham was balanced with the industry of Mark Hughes, Jake Hyland and the experience of Seán Brennan while the attacking trio of Stephen Meaney, Mark Doyle and Chris Lyons contributed 20 goals. Adding in valuable contributions from youngsters Jordan Adeyemo, James Clarke and Luke Heeney as well the exciting Ryan O’Shea and the well travelled Adam Wixted and the importance of having a strong squad was plain to see.

2018 and 2019 may have seen disappointment for the Louthmen courtesy of Harps but tonight they’re hitting the right notes as they return triumphantly to the Premier Division.