Drogheda United 1 - 3 Dundalk

• Eimear Taaffe
• Sat, Sep 11 2010


Drogheda United once again failed to overcome their local rivals Dundalk in the county Louth derby at Hunky Dorys Park. A scoreline of 1-3 reading in favour of the visitors saw the precious three points travel back up the M1 with the Lilywhites.

The first half saw Dundalk in the supremacy gaining an early lead through Ross Gaynor who netted home with 15 minutes on the clock. The pouring rain was not in favour of football as the heavens opened for about 15 minutes. This did not put Matthew Tipton off, as he got the visitors second, on 24 mins. United showed spells of skill but were tame and lacking in front of goal. They did however keep the Dundalk net-minder Cherrie busy throughout.

Striker Glen Fitzpatrick had a productive first half and was an ever present force upfront for the homeside. However he saw red on the stroke of half time for an elbow on Dundalk defender Wayne Hatswell. Linesman and Referee Damien Hancock conversed, and the card was swiftly shown to Fitzpatrick. He was understandable shocked and unhappy about the baffling decision, as it was indeed his strike partner Flood who had committed the foul.

Much of the second half was end to end as Drogheda United did not give up, and Dundalk were never sure of a victory. And they were nearly undone as wave after wave of pressure seiged on the goal mouth at the Crosslanes end of the stadium, where Dundalk were defending.

John Flood had an attempt on goal but ever sharp Cherrie parried it away. The ball fell kindly for the quick thinking Darren Meenan, who was cool and collected, as he took his shot well and gained one goal back for the claret and blue - his first in the Drogheda colours. At this point it really was a case of game on.

The tackles came thick and fast, with the referee Hancock doing well to keep the game flowing and keep his cards in his pocket. Tension and suspense came as the clock marched on. News was reaching Hunky Dory Park of the scores from elsewhere. However, try as they might, United could just not get the leveller.

Throwing bodies forward in attack, typified by the substitution of McNamara for McGill, perhaps was the downfall of the home side as ex- Drogheda player Kuduzovic connected with a ball from Steven Lennon, grabbing the third of Dundalk’s tally on the night. The goal came on the crook of the final whistle and with little time to respond, it was to be that Dundalk won out victorious, much to their relief.

United however wonder what their faith will be as results elsewhere mean that they are joint bottom with relegation rivals Bray Wanderers, with Bray having a game in hand.

Drogheda United: Robert Duggan; Yael Haro, Alan McNally, Eoghan Osbourne,Eric McGill (Darragh McNamara, 84); Mick Daly, Conor Sinnott (Peter MMahon, 87), Darren Meenan, Ryan Brennan; John Flood, Glen Fitzpatrick.
Subs not used: Paul Skinner, Corey Treacy, Ronan McEnteggart.
Red Card: Glen Fitzpatrick 45’

Dundalk: Peter Cherrie; Shaun Kelly, Wayne Hatswell, Simon Madden, Garry Breen (Ciaran McGuigan, 77); Ross Gaynor, Dean Bennet, Daniel Kearns (Stephen MCDonnell, 70), Tom Miller; Fahrudin Kuduzovic, Matthew Tipton (Steven Lennon, 82)/
Yellow Cards: Steven Lennon 92’

Referee: D. Hancock
extratime.ie Man of the Match: Peter Cherrie
Attendance: 700 approx