Season Preview: Drogheda United

Drogheda United

Year Founded: 1919
Stadium: Hunky Dorys Park
Manager: Mick Cooke
Key Player: Paul O’Conor

Let’s face it – 2012 couldn’t have gone much better for Drogheda United. Even the most ardent Claret and Blue fan could not have predicted the year they were to have. Heralded by the return of Declan “Fabio” O’Brien (who was to score 18 goals in all competitions), Mick Cooke’s team made a mockery of their 200/1 pre-season odds by finishing in second place in the Airtricity Premier Division and winning the EA Sports Cup.

So what next for last season’s “surprise package”? Can they repeat their on-field success, or even go one further and lift the title?

Mick Cooke certainly hasn’t rested on his laurels and has made some very shrewd signings in the off-season. Gary O’Neill and Graham Rusk have come in from Shamrock Rovers and UCD respectively to share some of the goalscoring burden placed on O’Brien’s shoulders, while David Cassidy has made the switch to Boyneside to add some creativity to Drogheda’s midfield and end his three year stint at Shelbourne.

It is the signing of Paul O’Conor though that perhaps will turn out to be the most astute signing of the lot. Maybe even of the whole league!

The 25-year-old midfielder has excelled for UCD in recent years and already looks to have carried some of this form on to his new club. A goal on his competitive debut in the Setanta Cup against Portadown was followed by another in the return leg as O’Conor’s star continues to rise.

While Drogheda have strengthened, so have the competition and their new-found reputation as title challengers will have turned them into a bigger scalp to be won.

A tilt at the title is not as far-fetched an ambition as previous years, but Cooke won’t be looking past the first match – a tricky away tie against St Patrick’s Athletic. March also brings away trips to Derry City and fierce rivals Dundalk. With this year’s league potentially being a three or four horse race, a good start will be key for Drogheda United if they are to avoid their challenge being over before it has begun.

This summer also sees the (welcome) distraction of European football at Hunky Dorys Park. The addition of the Europa League and the Setanta Cup will add extra games to Drogheda’s fixture list and whether they have the depth in their squad to juggle all these competitions and maintain the consistency of last year in the league remains to be seen.