Kevin Doherty hails Drogheda Utd star as ‘best defender in League of Ireland' after late heroics against Waterford
KEVIN DOHERTY reckons Conor Keeley is the best defender in the League of Ireland right now.
The 27-year-old's late, late goal rescued a point for the Drogs against
summer
break second in the Premier Division.
2
Conor Keeley scored Drogheda Utd's equaliser against Waterford
Credit: Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile
2
Kevin Doherty hailed him as one of the best defenders in the League of Ireland
Credit: Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile
And Doherty believes the Meath man is a class apart on current form.
The United boss said: 'There were proper questions asked of us and we've come away with a point.
'It would have been easy for us to lie down but Conor Keeley, who is the best defender in the league at the minute in my view, comes up with a big goal.
'It's the fifth goal for him from centre-back. We're a decent side in second place going into the mid-season break and I'm not sure many would have predicted that. I know that for sure.
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'We're really happy and we'll look forward to getting some freshness back.'
While Doherty says he has a 'decent side' on his hands, Blues gaffer John Coleman believes he has the best footballing team and is aiming for
Europe
.
Hitmen Tommy Lonergan and Pádraig Amond twice put them in front only for Warren Davis and then Keeley to peg them back.
Coleman added: 'Football is a
funny
game because we've drawn 2-2. It feels to us like a loss and to them like a win.
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'I've been on the end of that many times. I'm more disappointed for my players because of how well we played — and it was two completely styles of
football
.
'I've nothing against the way they play. I'm not one of these people who turn their noses up on styles of football. Whatever is effective is effective. They are really good at what they do, I respect it a lot.
Cork City fans watch League of Ireland clash against Dundalk in cinema
'We play a different style. We dominated the game for long
periods
, kept our shape, but maybe overplayed it a little bit in the second half. We pinned them back so they couldn't lay a glove on us until injury-time.
'We've defended set-plays and corners really well since I've been here. It's a cheap header for the first one and it's a ridiculous goal for the second. He's put it in from a yard with his feet. That's the disappointing thing.
'We're probably the best footballing side in the league at the minute and we've told the lads that if they don't think they can make Europe then don't come back after the break.'
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