Dundalk 0 - 0 Drogheda United (4-5 on pens)
Credit:
Drogheda United were the victors, 5-4 on penalties, in the 2013 Jim Malone Cup defeating neighbours Dundalk at Oriel Park on Friday night. The match ended scoreless but was entertaining and had many excellent chances throughout.
It was a lively opening and within the first 10 minutes Dundalk had two chances to take the lead. John Dillon got a shot away from 20 yards after some good work from Darren Meenan before Dillon played a wonderful cross which Rob Maloney could only head wide of Michael Schlingermann’s right hand post.
The visitors had to wait until the 20th minute for their first effort of the evening and it was the best effort of the opening half. A long punt from Schlingermann caused panic in the Dundalk defence and Peter Hynes took advantage, but his curling effort went inches over the bar. Moments later, Declan O’Brien almost scored from a similar move. A long ball wasn’t dealt with but O’Brien’s shot was saved easily by Dundalk ‘keeper Peter Cherrie.
Vinny Faherty then headed straight at Schlingermann before Patrick Hoban shot wildly from distance. Hoban had another shot from far out but he scuffed it and it went wide. Richie Towell had the final effort of the half but his shot went wide from 25 yards.
An entertaining half ended scoreless but with plenty of potential for the second.
The potential never showed in the second half. A flurry of changes from both sides slowed the game down and upset the rhythm of the match and it wasn’t until the 66th minute when Meenan got behind the visiting defence but he hooked his effort horribly wide. Dillon then had an ambitious effort from the halfway line go wide before Towell hit straight at Gabriel Sava.
Ryan Brennan then brought two outstanding saves from Cherrie before Keith Ward almost won it for the hosts but Gabriel Sava saved well for Drogheda United. Graham Rusk almost won it at the death when he shot from eight yards but Cherrie saved excellently.
The match went to penalties and Drogheda United were victors by five goals to four.
Dundalk: Peter Cherrie; John Sullivan (Richie Towell 16), Mark Rossiter, Rob Maloney (Andy Boyle 60), Eoghan Osborne (Dane Massey(60); John Dillon, John Mountney, Stephen McDonnell, Darren Meenan (Kurtis Byrne 69); Patrick Hoban (Keith Ward 46), Vinny Faherty (Sami Osobe 80).
Unused substitutes: Aaron Shanahan (GK).
Bookings: None.
Drogheda United: Michael Schlingermann (Gabriel Sava 46); Stephen Quigley (Derek Prendergast 62), Michael Daly, Brian Gannon, Philip Hand (Shane Grimes 63); Cathal Brady (Alan Byrne 62), David Cassidy, Eric Foley (Ryan Brennan 46), Jason Marks (Gavin Brennan 63); Peter Hynes (Dean Gaynor 63), Declan O’Brien (Gary O’Neill 63).
Unused substitutes: None.
Bookings: None.
Referee: Paul McLaughlin.
Attendance: 600 (estimate).
Extratime.ie man of the match: Peter Cherrie (Dundalk).
Penalties (Dundalk):
Richie Towell – scored
Dane Massey - scored
John Dillon - scored
Kurtis Byrne - scored
Keith Ward - missed
Richie Towell - scored
Mark Rossiter - missed
Penalties (Drogheda Utd):
Gary O’Neill – scored
Paul O’Connor - scored
Gavin Brennan – scored
Graham Rusk - missed
Ryan Brennan - scored
Derek Prendergast - scored
