Kevin Doherty: 'Incredibly frustrated we didn't have a penalty. It's a penalty'

Paul Corcoran reports from Eamonn Deacy Park

Galway United and Drogheda United played out a scoreless draw when the Boynesiders visited Eamonn Deacy Park for the first time this season on Friday night.

The quality was lacking for both sides at times throughout the game although perhaps the Tribesmen had the best of the chances.

A key moment arrived in the 54^th minute however when Darragh Markey struck a shot, and it appeared as if Galway captain Conor McCormack may have handled the ball in the box, but no penalty was given.

Drogheda manager Kevin Doherty spoke to extratime.com after the game and there was no doubt in his mind that a penalty should have been awarded.

“Incredibly frustrated we didn't have a penalty. It's a penalty. Conor McCormack blocks it with his hand, it's a penalty.,” Doherty said.

Later in the interview of the decision not to award the spot hick he said: “I’ve yet to talk to someone that has seen it that doesn’t think it is.

“I’m not blaming the referee either, by the way as it’s hard to see. It is difficult but look, we got a penalty at Derry, and we missed it, so you never know, it’s not a guaranteed goal but if he doesn’t block it maybe it goes in the goal.”

Although Doherty was disappointed by the decision he was pleased with his side’s performance. His happiness with the performance on Friday night comes in the context of Drogheda struggling to cope with Waterford set pieces two weeks ago and losing heavily.

On Friday night, his side blocked two shots off the line and secured a clean sheet.

“I thought our game plan worked well. Of course, they had loads of balls into the box, but we defended them so well considering probably two weeks ago we played Waterford we conceded three set pieces, and we were really disappointed with them.

“I couldn’t be prouder of the defensive performance, but I do think our game plan worked. I thought we set up really well, I thought we hit them on the counter a couple of times. Just lacked that little bit of quality at times.

“Considering two weeks ago, Waterford scored three corners against us, and we knew it was going to be really difficult coming down here. And it’s nearly a stereotype of Galway are just set-pieces, they’re not just a set-piece team, they’re good players.

“Obviously, the games they played, they’ve won two of them, and then one nil Shels, one nil Pat’s. We knew how difficult it was going to be, but we knew that we had the capabilities of setting up like that and hitting them on the counter. It didn’t work all the time but the clean sheet, I’m really pleased it’s our first one of the season.

“Out of the four games we’ve had three really good performances and one that I wasn’t happy with so not a bad start.”

Doherty also spoke briefly about how competitive this season’s Premier Division is and his delight that Galway United are back in the top flight.

“It’s probably getting boring now, we’re all saying it, but it is. And rightly so, we’re the only parttime team left in the league, everyone else is fulltime so you know how difficult it’s going to be.

“It is competitive but that’s the right way, you’re delighted it’s going that way. Delighted Galway, obviously I’d love to beat them every time I play them, but delighted they’re in the league, I love coming down here, it’s a great club. Proper football club, great to have Galway back but I’d rather beat them every time.”

Drogheda United head to the Showgrounds on Saturday to face Sligo Rovers. Kevin Doherty’s full interview can be heard on the extratime.com Voice Notes Podcast which can be found below.

The extratime Voice Notes Podcast - Season 2 - Episode 7 - Owen Heary, Colin Hawkins, Kevin Doherty, Conor O'Keeffe, Gareth McGlynn, John Russell, Barry Murphy, Tom Clancy and WLOI Round-up https://t.co/tQuJ9akA8Wpic.twitter.com/GuBB3wWiEc

— extratime.com (@ExtratimeNews) March 10, 2024