Super-sub Dom Thomas earns Derry City deserved draw at Drogheda United

Belfast Telegraph

16-05-2025

Trailing at the break to Elicha Ahul's header, the Scotsman's deflected strike meant the Brandywell men ended their poor run of results against the Drogs.
A share of the spoils combined by Shamrock Rovers' impress win at Waterford, means City sit three points behind the Tallaght men, but Thomas' late strike felt like a big goal for Tiernan Lynch's side.
The Brandywell men made two changes from their side that won at Cork City last week, with Ciaron Harkin and Robert Benson coming in for the injured Ronan Boyce and suspended Carl Winchester.
As for the home side they also made a couple of changes with James Bolger and Thomas Oluwa coming in for Frank Cooper, who dropped to the bench, and Shane Farrell, who was also serving a one match ban.
The big news prior to kick-off was the news that Drogs boss Kevin Doherty signed a new contract to remain as manager until at least the end of the 2027 campaign.
At a sun-soaked Sullivan & Lambe Park, it was the visitors who missed a great chance on 36 minutes as Gavin Whyte was too selfish when he should have played in Michael Duffy when they found themselves in a two versus one situation, but instead he tried to go it alone and Conor Kane did well to get back and cut out the danger.
United took the lead on 41 minutes in super fashion as centre-back Ahul rose well to powerfully head home Owen Lambe's right wing corner at the near post.
Behind at the break Lynch brought on striker Daniel Mullen for Harkin and the change made Derry switched to a 4-4-2 system, as they looked to try and get back into the contest.
Mullen went close on 59 minutes, but his snap-shot from the edge of the box failed to test United goalkeeper Luke Dennison.
The home side should have netted a second just after the hour mark when Ahul broke clear down the right getting away from Duffy and Kevin Holt, before picking out Thomas Oluwa, but his close range effort was diverted wide by Mark Connolly.
Soon after United went even close to doubling their lead as Conor Kane's delightful left wing cross found Oluwa, but the striker's close range header was superbly tipped over by Brian Maher.
The visitors continued to freshen things with Dom Thomas, Paul McMullan and Pat Hoban all coming off the bench for Whyte, Duffy and Liam Boyce.
The ex-Dundalk man missed a great chance to level things with virtually his first touch but Hoban's mis-hit effort from 10 yards was easily gathered by Dennison.
Oluwa should have wrapped the points up on 80 minutes when he had time and space inside the City box, but with Maher to beat, he blasted over from 10 yards.
The Candystripes grabbed a leveller on 90 minutes as Thomas' 20-yard strike took a massive deflection off Scott Brady on its way past Dennison.
Drogheda United: Dennison, Ahul, Keeley, Bolger; Lambe, Brennan, Heeney, Kane; Oluwa; James-Taylor (Brady 75), Davis (Bosakani 89).
Derry City: Maher, Cann, Connolly, Holt; Harkin (Mullen 45), O'Reilly, Benson, Todd; Whyte (McMullan 68), Boyce (Hoban 72), Duffy (Thomas 68).
Match rating: 6/10