Drogheda United 2 - 2 Derry City

Drogheda produced a fine second half fight back to earn at 2-2 draw at Hunky Dorys Park. It had all been in Derry City’s hands as Eamon Zayed and Gareth McGlynn had put them 2-0 up on 54 minutes. However two Drogs goals in two minutes from Colin O’Brien and a David Freeman penalty drew them level.

Drogheda started brightly and were pushing their visitors back when they got caught on the break. Eamon Zayed returned to haunt his old employers when he notched on five minutes. He would be the first to admit that all the hard work was done by Stephen McLaughlin as he got in down the outside left channel pulled the ball back to lose the covering defence and lay the ball across to Zayed six yards out with practically an unguarded goal to aim at.

On 23 minutes Drogheda tried to open their account for the season as a David Freeman lay off was driven narrowly wide by Colin O’Brien. Derry came back at the hosts and on 33 minutes Patrick McEleney sent Zayed clear in the inside right channel his effort to the near post was beaten down by David Quirk in the Drogs goal and cleared by Anthony Costigan. Derry nearly struck again in the very next minute as a McLaughlin corner flew across the six yard box, Shane McEleney retrieved the ball and his far post cross was headed over by Daniel Lafferty.

Drogs had a half shout for a penalty on 39 minutes as Dinny Corcoran sent Colin O’Brien in behind the Derry backline and went down under a challenge. However the ref waved it away and Derry were next to challenge as Zayed put Patrick McEleney away in the outside left but he blazed over. They came even closer in the next minute as Zayed crashed a header against the bar from a Ruairi Harkin cross. Not to be outdone Drogheda came roaring back and from a John Lester corner Gareth Whelan rose unchallenged but his effort was saved on the liner by Doherty. So 0-1 at half time.

The Candystripes extended the lead on 54 minutes when a Zayed flick was gathered in by McGlynn on the edge of the box he took his time and launched a half volley come lob to find the top right corner of Quirk’s net.

The spirit of the Drogheda side came to the fore and they struck back with two goals in two minutes. On 63 minutes a ball across the box fell to Colin O’Brien who slotted to the bottom right corner from around 22 yards. He was heavily involved just a minute later as a breaking ball wasn’t dealt with by the Derry defence, O’Brien got between Doherty and Emmet Friars to bring the ball under control and then go down under the challenge of Doherty. David Freeman stepped up and sent Doherty the wrong way to draw the game level.

Unbelievably Drogheda then had another chance to go ahead on 66 as first Mark O’Brien and then Philip Hand had efforts on goal blocked away.

On 88 minutes Drogs threatened again as a free from Hand fell to Gareth Whelan in the box but his effort found the side netting.

So all level at full time and the Drogs notch their first pint and goals of the season, next up for them are Sligo whereas Derry now face up to Shamrock Rovers.

Drogheda United: David Quirke; Brian Gannon, Anthony Costigan, Alan McNally, Gareth Whelan (Mark Nolan 79); John Lester, Mark O’Brien, Colin O’Brien, Philip Hand; David Freeman, Daniel Corcoran.
Subs not used: Stephen Trimble, Jack Flynn, Stephen McCrossan, Darragh McNamara, Daragh Hanaphy, Philip McDonagh.

Bookings: McNally (68).

Derry City: Gerard Doherty; Emmet Friars, Barry Molloy, Shane McEleney, Danny Lafferty; Gareth McGlynn, Ruari Harkin (James McClean 90); Kevin Deery,  Gareth McGlynn, Stephen McLaughlin (Michael McCrudden 79); Patrick McEleny (David McDaid 85),Eamon Zayed.
Subs not used: Eugene Ferry, Ryan McBride, Thomas McMonagle, Thomas McBride.

Bookings: Lafferty (30), McGlynn (41), Doherty (65), P McEleney (75).

Referee: Padraigh Sutton.
Attendance: 900 (estimate).
extratime.ie Man of the Match: Colin O’Brien