Season Preview: Drogheda United
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Drogheda United began last season as favourites to be relegated after barely staying alive and compiling a squad in just over two weeks. This season could be a little different for them though.
Once again Drogheda's preparations for the forthcoming season were hampered with talks of insolvency and financial strife. It appears that lightening can strike twice.
Having been given a budget in December, Alan Mathews was informed a few months later that the original figures needed to be drastically cut. This led to the re-negotiation of several players' contracts, limiting the chance of further signings and putting the manager in a difficult position.
However, once again the storm was weathered and Drogheda have had a relatively better preparation this season. But the loss of Ross Gaynor and Conor Kenna as well as James Chambers will no doubt be felt by The Boynesiders.
Mathews has used a tight budget to good effect once again and has signed some solid players. Glen Fitzpatrick and Gareth O’Connor offer Drogheda some more attacking options - an area in which they were somewhat lacking last season.
The promotion of Darragh McNammara from the youth system is a boost to the squad. He was involved in the treble winning U-18 set-up and there is big things expected from the young right-back.
Last year, Drogheda were the draw specialists having ground out 11 stalemates throughout the campaign. Despite the loss of the three aforementioned players the core of the squad has remained the same and has been further strengthened.
So, if Mathews' team can avoid the kind of injuries they picked up last term and gain a bit more consistency it is not beyond the realms of belief that they can achieve a mid table position.
Team: Drogheda United
Manager: Alan Mathews
Players In: Paul Murphy (Lisburn Distillery), Corie Treacy (Shamrock Rovers), Joe Kendrick (Sligo Rovers), Damien Brennan (Shelbourne), Jamie Harris, Gareth O’Connor, Glen Fitzpatrick (all St Patrick's Athletic), Michael Daly (Dundalk), John Flood (Bray Wanderers).
Players Out: Steve Williams, Robbie Clarke, Mick Clarke, Ian Ryan, Paul Shiels (all Shelbourne), Conor Kenna (St Patrick's Athletic), James Chambers (Shamrock Rovers), Guy Bates (Blyth Spartans), Shane Barrett (Sporting Fingal), Robbie Farrell (Released).
One to Watch: John Flood
Prediction: 8th
Once again Drogheda's preparations for the forthcoming season were hampered with talks of insolvency and financial strife. It appears that lightening can strike twice.
Having been given a budget in December, Alan Mathews was informed a few months later that the original figures needed to be drastically cut. This led to the re-negotiation of several players' contracts, limiting the chance of further signings and putting the manager in a difficult position.
However, once again the storm was weathered and Drogheda have had a relatively better preparation this season. But the loss of Ross Gaynor and Conor Kenna as well as James Chambers will no doubt be felt by The Boynesiders.
Mathews has used a tight budget to good effect once again and has signed some solid players. Glen Fitzpatrick and Gareth O’Connor offer Drogheda some more attacking options - an area in which they were somewhat lacking last season.
The promotion of Darragh McNammara from the youth system is a boost to the squad. He was involved in the treble winning U-18 set-up and there is big things expected from the young right-back.
Last year, Drogheda were the draw specialists having ground out 11 stalemates throughout the campaign. Despite the loss of the three aforementioned players the core of the squad has remained the same and has been further strengthened.
So, if Mathews' team can avoid the kind of injuries they picked up last term and gain a bit more consistency it is not beyond the realms of belief that they can achieve a mid table position.
Team: Drogheda United
Manager: Alan Mathews
Players In: Paul Murphy (Lisburn Distillery), Corie Treacy (Shamrock Rovers), Joe Kendrick (Sligo Rovers), Damien Brennan (Shelbourne), Jamie Harris, Gareth O’Connor, Glen Fitzpatrick (all St Patrick's Athletic), Michael Daly (Dundalk), John Flood (Bray Wanderers).
Players Out: Steve Williams, Robbie Clarke, Mick Clarke, Ian Ryan, Paul Shiels (all Shelbourne), Conor Kenna (St Patrick's Athletic), James Chambers (Shamrock Rovers), Guy Bates (Blyth Spartans), Shane Barrett (Sporting Fingal), Robbie Farrell (Released).
One to Watch: John Flood
Prediction: 8th
About P.J. Murray
P.J. generally covers Drogheda games at HD Park and can generally be found at any Dublin ground when of a loose end on a Friday night. View Full Profile