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New striker Aaron Dobbs should have opened his league account on a few occasions and hopefully that will change in the coming weeks when all the panel get used to each other. There is no doubt that the addition of Conor Kenna to the defence has tightened the team up at the back and to start with a clean sheet will be a big plus for manager Neale Fenn. Last season the clubs met on three occasions in the league and it was honours even as both won one match and the third game was drawn.
The Drogheda defence is that which played a big part in their chase for a play-off spot last season with the exception of Ciaran Kelly who has left the club. The very experienced local lad Sean Brennan is their key player in midfield. Sean is from Drogheda and he has three other brothers Ryan, Gavin and Killian playing in the Airtricity League. Former Town player Mark Hughes is a valuable member of their midfield as is Adam Wixted who scored against Cobh. Doyle is a very good striker who is capable of scoring against any opposition and he is ably assisted by Chris Lyons. This Drogheda squad has quite a few experienced players but they also have some fantastic young players who came through from under age teams at the club and also other clubs from Dublin.
Three minutes into the second half Drogheda increased their lead when the much travelled Adam Wixted was set up by Conor Kane for a fine individual goal that gave Paul Hunt no chance. Drogheda were in full control and it was no surprise when they added goal number four and that came from the in form Mark Doyle. Drogheda are sitting on top of the table on goal difference and it will take a big performance from the new look Town team to break down their solid defence. Former Town keeper Paul Skinner is Drogheda's no 1 and no doubt he will get a great reception from the Town faithful.
The opening game between the clubs was played in mid April and that ended in a one all draw. Dean Byrne opened the scoring for the Town in the 57th minute with a stunning goal from 25 yards. That goal was noted goal of the season at the club’s end of season dinner dance in the Longford Arms Hotel. It looked as if the Town were going to come away from Drogheda with three valuable points as the game went into injury time. Five minutes into injury time defender Ciaran Kelly scored a late, late equaliser.
Drogheda got to the play-offs and beat Shelbourne before losing to Ollie Horgan's Finn Harps. Manager Clancy has retained most of last season's squad which is a great start for him as continuity is a big plus when you are chasing honours. Clancy played the game at the highest level having started with Millwall before heading to Scotland where he played with Kilmarnock, Motherwell, Hibernian and St Johnstone. When he returned home he played with Shamrock Rovers and Sligo Rovers and Bray Wanderers.
Drogheda are under the managerial skills of Tim Clancy who is assisted by former Longford Town player Kevin Doherty who has moved from Shelbourne to join up with Tim. On Friday last Drogheda made a great start with a very impressive 4-0 victory over Stephen Henderson’s Cobh Ramblers at United Park. Before the big kick-off last weekend the betting on this year's First Division was pointing towards Tolka Park where rookie manager Ian Morris is expected to bring Shelbourne back to the promised land after the club have signed some very experienced players who have all played in the Premier Division. Last season Morris was playing for Bohemians in the Premier Division but he also managed some of their underage teams.
The next game was played at City Calling stadium in mid June and the Town came out on top in that game with the only goal coming from the head of Sam Verdon. The Town held out well and deserved the three points. The final meeting between the clubs took place at United Park in mid September and the home side won by the odd goal in three.
The main reason for their favourites tag is the signing of striker Ciaran Kilduff who previously played for Dundalk where he won three league titles and they also signed Conan Byrne from St Patrick's Athletic and Oscar Brennan from Bohemians. Shelbourne are everyone's favourites for promotion but Drogheda will be hoping to be in the shake up at the end of September just like last season.
Tim was a more than useful player and he has lots of experience to pass on to his team as they try to go one better than last season. Last Friday night at home a very experienced team that included most of last season's starting eleven with the exception of Jake Hyland who is out with a long term injury and the very impressive Ciaran Kelly who joined his old club St Patrick's Athletic pre-season. Drogheda took an early lead against Cobh when young striker Mark Doyle scored his first goal in the 8th minute when he was set up by former St Pat’s man Thomas Byrne. Former Shamrock Rovers player Chris Lyons got goal number 2 when former Town keeper Paul Hunt fumbled a shot from Sean Brennan and Lyons reacted quickly to put the ball in the net just before the half hour mark. Worse was to follow for Cobh when they were reduced to 10 men when Cian Leonard was red carded after two very silly yellow cards.
Jevin Doherty’s side registered just two shots on target from 7 attempts compared to 10 by Derry City from 23 chances created. Meanwhile the result helped Drogheda to extend their undefeated streak to four games across all competitions. Sligo, on the other hand, returned to winning ways last time out when they put three goals past Finn Harps without reply.
Former Town player Jack Brady was in goal for the home team and he made a few excellent saves during the game. The Town were missing Carlton Ubaezuonu, Kevin Knight and Jamie Hollywood through injury but still had a strong squad to pick from and that hopefully will push us to the pinnacle of the First Division in the coming weeks. Both sets of forwards had their chances but neither could beat the respective keepers.
At Showgrounds Sligo, Aidan Keena scored either side of Karl O-Sullvan’s eighth-minute strike to hand the hosts all three points. It was the Bit O’Reds’ second victory in their last five games. Prior to that, John Russell’s side was held to a 1-1 draw at UCD before losing 2-1 to Derry City towards the last week of May. Probable Lineups Drogheda’s Dylan Grimes is a doubtful for Friday’s game having come off injured in the previous outing. Therefore Adam Foley could start in the forward line.
Drogheda United vs Sligo Rovers: Ireland Premier Division Live stream, Schedule, Fixture and Probable LineupsDrogheda United will host Sligo Rovers in an Ireland Premier Division fixture at United Park on Friday night. The visitors are heading into the tie on the back of a thumping 3-0 win over Finn Harps last weekend, while Drogheda United played out a 1-1 draw at Derry City in their previous fixture.
Sligo are currently placed fifth in the table with 28 points from 20 games while the hosts are languishing at the 8th spot in the 10-team table with 21 points from 19 games. Back in action on Friday at home to Sligo Rovers. Tickets ➡️ https://t. co/HWYwVRFTLB?? #WeAreDrogs | #OurTownOurClub pic. twitter. com/Xozggv6pvz — Drogheda United F. C. (@DroghedaUnited) June 21, 2022 Drogheda struggled to find their feet against Derry City last Friday, but still managed to earn a point after Dean Smith converted a spot kick and canceled out Mathew Smith’s opener. The Claret and Blue Army were clearly the second best team at Brandywell and were on the back-foot for a major part of the game.
Drogheda United 1-0 Finn Harps: Late Chris Lyons goal gives Airtricity League of Ireland – TBC – Play Off Drogheda Unied v Finn Harps in United Park 7.45 pm ( Subject to Drogheda winning on
Drogheda United v Finn Harps - Turboscores.com Sep 11, 2022 — Eurosport is your source for the latest Irish Premier League match updates. Get the full recap of Shamrock Rovers - Finn