Drogheda United 1 - 2 Dundalk

• Sam Griffin
• Fri, Apr 22 2011




Dundalk struck late to claim their first three points on the road and extend Drogheda’s winless run at the start of the 2011 season. A first half goal from Dinny Corcoran proved to be too little as second half goals from Colin Hawkins and Daniel Kearns sealed the win for Dundalk in this Louth derby.

Dundalk started the brighter of the two sides and had their first chance after seven minutes. The livewire Daniel Kearns ran at Drogs’ defender Philip Hand before his cross picked out forward Mark Quigley. However, the league’s player of the month could only glance his header wide.

But there was plenty more to come from Quigley. He had another effort two minutes later but his ambitious volley went well over Steven Trimble’s cross bar. Quigley attempted to turn provider on 12 minutes when he found Keith Ward on the edge of the Drogs’ box with a precision through ball. But the midfielder’s low shot was saved easily by the busy Trimble.

Drogheda struggled to make any headway in the opening stages as a white tide descended on the home side. Quigley was at the heart of most of the Lilywhites good play. He played in Ross Gaynor, who had switched over to the right side of the Dundalk midfield, but the winger’s tame effort was easily saved.

The home side had to wait until the 25th minute to record their first half- chance. Forward Hanaphy linked up with Brian Gannon before the Drog's captain crossed for Dinny Corcoran. He went down under a strong challenge from Dundalk defender Michael Hector, but referee Alan Kelly waved the forward’s protestations away.

Up until this point the hosts had created very little so it came completely against the run of play when Drogheda opened the scoring. Dundalk defender Colin Hawkins failed to clear a Mark Nolan cross. The ball fell to Dinny Corcoran who stroked the ball past Peter Cherrie to hand the Drogs a 1-0 lead.

The remainder of the half played out as it had started with Dundalk creating the better chances, but lacking the finishing touch in front of the Drogheda goal. Jason Byrne and Stephen McDonnell both had shots on target for Dundalk but neither seriously tested Trimble.

Dundalk continued to dictate play after the break. Daniel Kearns saw his effort whistle past the post only two minutes after the restart. Six minutes later Quigley came even closer to grabbing an equaliser but his header was tipped brilliantly over the bar by Trimble. On 56 minutes Dundalk’s intense pressure was finally rewarded when centre back Colin Hawkins out-jumped the Drogs’ defence to header Ross Gaynor’s in-swinging corner past Trimble. 1-1, and game on.

The goal sparked new life into the game as both sides endeavoured to take more than a point from this Louth derby. On 61 minutes, the goal scorer Dinny Corcoran went close from the edge of the box after a good run and pull back by Stephen Quigley.

Down the other end, one minute later, Jason Byrne squandered a glorious chance to put Dundalk in front when he skewed his effort from 18 yards wide of the right hand post.

After this, chances were few and far between though Dundalk enjoyed far more of the possession with Kearns and Gaynor looking most threatening. The away side also looked very assured at the back with Corcoran having no luck against Colin Hawkins and the impressive Michael Hector. Indeed Corcoran was substituted on 72 minutes for midfielder Colin O’ Brien as Mick Cooke appeared to adopt a have-what- we-hold approach.

It was a ploy that would backfire as Drogheda’s limited attacking threat allowed Dundalk to stream forward in attack. Dundalk manager Ian Foster made changes of his own with Johnny Breen coming on for Keith Ward. However, it was the players who had started the game that finally put Dundalk into the lead.

Man of the match Ross Gaynor picked up possession deep in the Drogs’ half and his floated cross was met by Daniel Kearns. the winger headed powerfully past Trimble to hand a Dundalk a deserved lead with five minutes to go.

Cooke attempted to restore parity with the introduction of Jack Flynn. But once again it wasn’t to be for the Drogs who huffed and puffed their way to the finish.

Drogheda United: Stephen Trimble; Mark Nolan, Alan McNally, Victor Ekenam, Philip Hand; Mark O’ Brien (Jack Flynn, 85), Stephen Quigley, Brian Gannon, David Freeman; Darragh Hanaphy, Dinny Corcoran (Colin O’Brien, 72)
Subs not used: David Quirke, Darragh McNamara, Sean Skelly, Cillian Thompson, Ronan McEnteggart.
Bookings: S Quigley (31), M O'Brien (45), Trimble (48).


Dundalk: Peter Cherrie; Simon Madden, Colin Hawkins, Michael Hector, Nathan Murphy; Daniel Kearns, Stephen McDonnell, Keith Ward (Johnny Breen, 72), Ross Gaynor; Jason Byrne, Mark Quigley.
Subs not used: Paul Murphy, Mark Griffin, Philip Duffy, Chris Kerr.
Bookings: Gaynor (91).


Referee: Alan Kelly.
Attendance: 1,300 (estimate).
Extratime.ie man of the match: Ross Gaynor (Dundalk).