- Gerard Grimes
- Sat, Aug 06 2016
Drogheda United were left feeling aggrieved following a 3-3 draw against runaway league leaders Limerick in a thrilling game overshadowed by a number of controversial decisions from referee John McLoughlin.
Captain for the evening, Sean Brennan gave Drogheda a deserved lead just nine minutes in. That lead was extended in the 59th minute through Gareth McCaffrey before Paul O'Conor got one back for Limerick from what looked like an offside position.
However, four minutes later Drogheda restored their two goal lead through the excellent Marc Griffin. Lee Lynch then gave Limerick hope as he grabbed a goal back with ten minutes to play before deep into injury time, Aaron Greene headed home to keep Limerick's unbeaten record intact.
Drogheda started this game off at a ferocious pace and had their first effort of the game just 15 seconds in as Griffin ran at the Limerick defence before seeing his strong effort well saved by Freddy Hall.
Drogheda took a deserved lead in the ninth minute as Sean Brennan capitalised on a defensive error to run through one on one against Hall before calmly slotting low past the keeper.
Despite Drogheda’s domination, Limerick still looked dangerous going forward and had their best move of the first half fifteen minutes in. Good work from Lynch and Greene on the left saw the latter cut it back to Lynch who fired over under pressure from a Drogheda defender.
Drogheda then had three chances within the space of five minutes as they continued to consistently find gaps in the Limerick back four. First, McCaffrey picked the ball up on halfway before running straight at the Limerick rearguard, cutting onto his left and sending a shot just wide of the far post. Less than a minute later Marc Griffin was played through on goal but the forward could only send his effort straight at Hall.
Then, minutes later, Purdy danced his way by two Limerick players before letting go, only for his deflected effort to be superbly saved by Freddy Hall, when it looked destined for the top corner.
The game then reached a quiet period as both teams began to become wasteful in possession, with the only efforts coming from range. Drogheda went in one goal to the good after a dominant first half.
Martin Russell was clearly unimpressed with the performance he had seen from his side in the opening half as he made a double change at the break with Sean Russell and Chris Mulhall replacing Shane Tracey and Stephen Kenny.
That double change seemed to have worked as Limerick began the second half the better of the two sides and almost equalised just two minutes in through John O'Flynn. O'Flynn found himself one-on-one with McGuinness, looking certain to score, only for Kevin Farragher to somehow get back and clear the ball off the line.
Minutes later, Drogheda doubled their lead. Stephen Dunne played a ball down the line to Griffin who cut inside, nutmegging Shaun Kelly in the process before cutting back to McCaffrey who made no mistake and fired home for his first Drogheda goal.
Then came the first moment of real controversy. A terrific effort from Lee Lynch cannoned off the post, falling into the path of Paul O'Conor who fired home from what looked like an offside position. The Drogheda players clearly felt the same and it had appeared that the linesman on the near side actually raised his flag to signal offside. However, referee John McLoughlin awarded the goal, much to the anger and bemusement of the Drogheda players and fans.
Drogheda didn't let that decision affect their play though as just four minutes later, they restored their two goal lead. The impressive Sean Brennan played the ball to Griffin, who turned between two Limerick defenders before firing an unstoppable shot by Hall for his first Drogheda goal.
Both sides continued to attack with O'Flynn going close for Limerick and McCaffrey, after running half the length of the field, seeing his effort blocked and put out for a corner.
Then, with 10 minutes to play, Limerick got themselves back in the game as a low effort from the edge of the box, by what looked like Lee Lynch, took a deflection before ending up in the bottom corner.
Limerick began to throw men forward in search of an equaliser and very nearly found it with three minutes to play as Shane Duggan, one on one with McGuinness, had his effort brilliantly palmed over the bar by the Drogheda keeper.
Drogheda had a chance to grab a fourth in the 91st minute as a superb run by Liam Donnelly, which saw him run over half the length of the field, ended with the forward squaring to Brennan, who miscontrolled before cutting back to shoot, only to see his effort deflected and fall into the hands of Hall.
Limerick did find an equalising goal and it once again enraged Drogheda. Limerick seen a number of crosses cleared before being awarded a corner after the three added minutes were up. However, the referee allowed play to carry on and it was Aaron Greene who rose highest to head home for Limerick, keeping their unbeaten run intact.
As the entire Limerick bench ran off the bench to the other end of the ground in celebration, Drogheda were left again questioning referee McLoughlin, who blew the final whistle to end what was a thrilling game at United Park between the runaway leaders Limerick and Drogheda, who are still the only side to take points off Martin Russell's men this season, following their 2-2 draw at Market's Field in June.
Drogheda United: Stephen McGuinness; Colm Deasy, Luke Gallagher, Kevin Farragher, Stephen Dunne; Richie Purdy, Jake Hyland (Sean Thornton 84'), Sean Brennan (C); Gareth McCaffrey (Liam Donnelly 90'), Marc Griffin, Aaron Ashe (Derek Doyle 84').
Subs Not Used: Patrick Dunican (GK), Lloyd Buckley, John McKeown, Sam O'Connor.
Limerick: Freddy Hall; Shaun Kelly, Robbie Williams, Tony Whitehead, Shane Tracy (Sean Russell HT'); Stephen Kenny (Chris Mulhall HT'), Paul O'Conor, Lee-J Lynch, Shane Duggan (C); Aaron Greene, John O'Flynn.
Subs Not Used: Tommy Holland (GK), Paudie O'Connor, Clyde O'Connell, Ross Man, Garbhan Coughlan.
Referee: John McLoughlin.
Attendance: 700 (est).
Extratime.ie Player of the Match: Marc Griffin (Drogheda United).
You can view Larry McQuillan's pictures from the game here.
