Dundalk 2-2 Drogheda United

• Emmet Maloney
• Sun, Mar 14 2010


Indiscipline cost Drogheda dear as they let a two goal advantage slip at Oriel Park. First half goals from Glen Fitzpatrick and a Joe Kendrick penalty saw them take a 2-0 lead and they were fully in control until the sending off of Michael Daly in the 62nd minute saw the game turn and a goal apiece for the Dundalk strikers Neale Fenn and Faz Kudozovic meant honours were shared.

Local derbies are renowned for their competitive nature and a full blooded challenge involving JJ Melligan for the home team and Michael Daly and Corey Treacy saw the visiting number two stretchered off to be replaced by Jamie Duffy. The break obviously suited the visitors the greater as they struck in the ninth minute to open the scoring. A cross from the right found John Flood at the far post who’s free header was planted straight at Peter Cherrie his parry fell to an unattended Glen Fitzpatrick who made no mistake right footed from ten yards.

Drogheda continued to look by far the more settled team and extended their lead in the 21st minute. Neat interplay between Brendan McGill and Duffy in the right corner saw the cross cut out by Ross Gaynor’s arm. The left wing back was booked to add to his woes and Joe Kendrick calmly placed the ball beyond Cherries outstretched right hand and into the bottom corner.

The Drogs looked comfortable as Dundalk continued to misplace passes and looked a yard off the pace all over the pitch. It was possibly inevitable in a game littered with bookings due to referee Damien Hancock over officious efforts that a player would get red carded. It duly arrived when Daly picked a second booking for kicking the ball away. Dundalk struck immediately as Fenn’s cross from the inside right position was handled by Brian King and Hancock pointed to the spot. Fenn stepped up and confidently placed the ball into the keeper’s bottom right corner.

All the momentum was now with the home team and they looked likely to get an equaliser. On 82 minutes the home crowd were sent into raptures as a headed clearance dropped to Fenn on the edge of the box his volley was spilled by Paul Skinner in the visitor’s goal and Kudozovic levelled things up.

Drogheda held out against the tides of Dundalk attacks orchestrated by Melligan and deservedly got a draw. They will now look forward to the visit of Bohemians next week with more confidence. While Ian Foster must be hoping that his misfiring Dundalk team can put this spluttering performance behind them and perform a whole lot better next week at Shamrock Rovers.

Dundalk FC: Peter Cherrie; Wayne Hatswell, Gary Breen, Liam Burns; Shaun Kelly, JJ Melligan, Stephen Maher, Alan Cawley (Tom Miller 16), Ross Gaynor; Fahrudin Kudozovic, Neale Fenn.
Subs not used: Michael Synott, Nathan Murphy, Ciran McGuigan, Matt Gregg

Drogheda United FC: Paul Skinner; Corey Tracey( Jamie Duffy 7), Joe Kendrick, Alan McNally, Brendan McGill; Garreth O’Connor, Jamie Harris, Mick Daly, Brian King; John Flood, Glen Fitzpatrick (Ryan Brennan 84).
Subs not used: Eoghan Osbourne, Damien Brennan, Paul Murphy

extratime.ie Man of the Match: JJ Melligan.

Referee: Damien Hancock

Attendance:1500 (estimate).