- Andrew Dempsey
- Sat, Apr 10 2021
Longford Town were handed a harsh lesson of the realities of Premier Division life as they were easily swatted aside by four goals to nil at home to Drogheda United.
The Boynesiders took a one-nil lead heading into the break thanks to Mark Doyle’s opener, before they blew Longford away in a dominant 20 minute spell in the second-half.
Chris Lyons and Hugh Douglas also got on the scoresheet as Doyle grabbed his brace to seal the deal for the visitors in a dominant display.
Longford Town enjoyed much of the recent history between the two sides – albeit in the First Division.
The Red and Black came into the game unbeaten against Drogheda in their previous five league games – and they were buoyed following the return of Rob Manley to the starting XI after an injury.
Drogheda on the other hand have impressed since winning promotion to the Premier Division, collecting four points from their opening three games.
Tim Clancy’s side handed starts to former Longford Town midfielder Gary Deegan, while ex-Longford defender Daniel O’Reilly also kept his place in the visitors starting side.
The hosts started the game brightly and went close to taking the lead as early as the fourth minute.
Dylan Grimes’ in-swinging set-piece found the feet of Aaron Bolger – before his shot squirmed loose to Manley at the back-post, but he could not convert.
Aodh Dervin then went close with a fiercely struck free-kick, but Drogheda would then show signs of life.
The Boynesiders set Mark Doyle free down the left-flank – and his cross across the penalty area was unmet by Chris Lyons.
Clancy’s side continued to push forward – and they were denied by the excellent defending of Bolger for the hosts who nipped in just before Lyons was ready to shoot.
De Town would then go close themselves minutes later – with Grimes going close with a long-range strike in the 20th minute.
The ex-Shels winger then went close again three minutes later, but long-range effort just went over Colin McCabe’s crossbar – much to his relief.
The lively Doyle then went close himself just before the half-hour mark, but his dinked header just went wide past Lee Steacy in the Longford goal.
And Doyle would finally be rewarded for his industrious opening half-hour to the game – as he poked home following a goal-line scramble.
The Drogs forward got on the end of high cross into the penalty area – as the hosts could not clear their lines – and they were duly punished for that.
The Red and Black however did respond to going behind – but it was Drogheda who almost made it two just before the break – but Steacy saved from Doyle who missed his one-on-one to keep the deficit to one.
However, the ex-Shels keeper could do little as Drogheda doubled their lead in the 50th minute thanks to a Chris Lyons finish.
Lyons got on the end of a James Brown cross – to direct the ball into the back of the net as Steacy went the other way.
And it was three moments later as Doyle headed home a superbly weighted Conor Kane cross into the penalty area.
Lyons held the ball up well to release Kane on the wing, before Doyle headed home with aplomb to all but end the game as a contest.
It got worse for Town 25 minutes from time, as Hugh Douglas got in on the act – heading home Murray’s free-kick that found him free in the penalty area.
And that was how the game finished, as Daire Doyle’s side were handed a harsh lesson at the hands of their First Division foes from the past.
Next up for Longford is a daunting trip to Tallaght Stadium to face reigning champions Shamrock Rovers.
Drogheda will now prepare for an away trip to take on Derry City at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium.
Longford Town: Lee Steacy; Aaron McNally (Shane Elworthy 34), Aaron O'Driscoll, Joe Gorman, Joseph Manley (Aaron Robinson 62); Dylan Grimes, Aodh Dervin, Aaron Bolger (Conor Davis 62), Patrick Kirk; Karl Chambers (Callum Thompson 73); Rob Manley.
Subs not used: Sam Verdon, Matthew O'Brien, Michael McDonnell, Michael Kelly, Aaron Dobbs.
Booked: Aaron O'Driscoll (25), Aaron Robinson (89).
Drogheda United: Colin McCabe; James Brown, Hugh Douglas, Daniel O'Reilly, Dane Massey; Conor Kane (Luke Heeney 67), Gary Deegan, Darragh Markey (Jake Hyland 59); Mark Doyle (James Clarke 75), Chris Lyons, Ronan Murray (Dinny Corcoran 75).
Subs not used: Brandon Bermingham, Jordan Adeyemo, David Odumosu, Killian Phillips, Jack Tuite.
Booked: Ronan Murray (58) Luke Heeney (73).
Referee: Graham Kelly
ExtraTime.ie Player of the Match: Mark Doyle (Drogheda United).
