Latest news with #Boynesiders
Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Luckless Drogheda ladies come up just shy again in water polo's Irish Senior Cup Finals
Having under-performed by their own standards early on in the season due to missing a number of key players, the Drogheda outfit began to find their form in recent months as they picked up a number of notable wins in the run-up to the 'Diamond Event', the Irish Senior Cup Finals. The tournament was held in Limerick University, with a total of 14 teams involved between men's and ladies. It all started off well enough for Drogheda as, after being paired off against one of their many old rivals North Dublin, the Boynesiders prevailed 12-6 thanks to a well-executed team plan. Next was a match versus Tribes of Galway who entered the competition as one of the most in-form teams in the country, on the back of a very impressive run of eight wins and just one loss. It was in this encounter that Drogheda unfortunately were outplayed and so they secured 'only' the runners-up position in Group B and therefore had to face Group A winners St Vincents in the semi-finals. This was a highly anticipated match in light of the fact that Drogheda knocked them out at the same stage in 2024 following a penalty shootout, but this time the Boynesiders were beaten by a better team who went on to win the competition and record their 12th triumph in the last 13 Irish Senior Cup finals. Still, Drogheda can look forward with optimism to the 2025/26 season which will see the return of some pivotal stalwarts. Perhaps that will boost their chances of finally going all the way in the Irish Senior Cup, having contested four of the last five finals. The Drogheda senior ladies squad are always looking for new players, as are the junior ranks of the Drogheda underage club who train in Aura in Drogheda on a Monday night.
Irish Independent
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Drogheda United hearts broken by fortuitous Derry City equaliser
DERRY CITY 1 ON the day it emerged that Kevin Doherty had pledged his future to Drogheda United by signing a new contract, his team were on course for just their second win in seven games until a huge slice of ill-fortune struck in the 90th minute. FAI Cup Final star Elicha Ahui was the thorn in Derry City's side again as his first-half strike put the Boynesiders ahead, but the insurance goal just wouldn't come and the visitors stole a point when a speculative shot from Dom Thomas took a big deflection off luckless debutant Scott Brady and nestled in the net past a helpless keeper Luke Dennison. From a position where Drogheda would have climbed back into second place in the table, they ended the night in fifth spot. Derry, the league's in-form team, had arrived at Sullivan & Lambe Park intent on ending a three-game losing streak against the Drogs - including that never-to-be-forgotten cup final - and they nearly hit the front in fortuitous fashion when a mis-hit Liam Boyce effort looped up onto the roof of the net in the sixth minute. The Boynesiders then had a let-off when their marking from a free kick went awry and former Drogs centre-half Hayden Cann was left completely alone in the box, only to steer a header straight at Dennison when he had time to take the ball down. Gradually, Drogheda gained more of a foothold in the game and after some head tennis in the Derry penalty area around the half-hour mark Warren Davis steered a 20-yard volley just wide of the target. The Candystripes wasted another great scoring opportunity on 35 minutes when Gavin Whyte and Michael Duffy created a two-on-one situation, but Whyte failed to release his colleague and Conor Kane somehow got back to dispossess the Northern Ireland international with a timely tackle. Perhaps it was slightly against the run of play, then, when the home side struck in the 41st minute. Owen Lambe forced Derry into conceding a corner kick and it was the wing-back's delivery from the right that was met with a near-post bullet header from Ahui for 1-0. There was a half-chance for Thomas Oluwa in the 44th minute after a Cann error, but the striker opted for a cross instead of a shot and the danger was averted. The third quarter belonged to Drogheda and they will feel this was the period when they should have put the game to bed. Their best chance arrived in the 62nd minute when Ahui chased a seemingly lost cause, came away with the ball from a 50/50 tackle on the right touchline and charged towards goal. The option was there for the Englishman to take a shot, but instead he squared to the supporting Oluwa who took a couple of touches before seeing his goal-bound shot deflected narrowly wide by Kevin Holt. Then, three minutes, later, Douglas James-Taylor released the on-rushing Kane whose brilliant cross from the left reached Oluwa, and his header was tipped over the bar by Brian Maher. With no sign of an equaliser coming, Derry boss Tiernan Lynch had made four changes by the 72nd minute in the hope of salvaging something from the game and his side passed up a great opportunity on 77 minutes when two of his substitutes combined. With Brennan off the field after receiving attention, Paul McMullan whipped a cross into the box and the ball eventually landed at the feet of Patrick Hoban whose mis-hit shot was gathered comfortably by Dennison. At the other end a Brennan effort ricocheted towards sub Brady and he nicely clipped the ball into the path of Oluwa who shot over from 10 yards, but in the last minute of normal time Thomas broke Drogheda's hearts with that fortunate equaliser. Drogheda: Luke Dennison 7; Elicha Ahui 8, Conor Keeley 8, James Bolger 7, Owen Lambe 8, Luke Heeney 7, Ryan Brennan 8, Conor Kane 8; Warren Davis 7 (Bridel Bosakani 88); Thomas Oluwa 7, Douglas James-Taylor 8 (Scott Brady 75, 7). Subs not used: Zishim Bawa, George Cooper, Kieran Cruise, Aaron Harper-Bailey, Dare Kareem, Andrew Quinn, Jack Brady. Derry: Brian Maher 7; Hayden Cann 8, Mark Connolly 8, Kevin Holt 8, Sam Todd 8; Adam O'Reilly 7, Robbie Benson 6, Ciaron Harkin 6 (Danny Mullen 46, 6), Michael Duffy 7 (Paul McMullan 68, 7); Gavin Whyte 6 (Dom Thomas 68, 7), Liam Boyce 7 (Pat Hoban 72, 6). Subs not used: Arlo Doherty, Shane Ferguson, Glenn McCourt, Cead McGrath, Sean Patton. ATTENDANCE: 2,301
Irish Daily Mirror
16-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Daily Mirror
Doherty on course to be Drogheda United's longest serving boss with new contract
Kevin Doherty has been rewarded for Drogheda United's flying start to the 2025 League of Ireland campaign with a new long-term contract. Doherty, who guided the Boynesiders to FAI Cup glory last season, and to Premier Division safety via the relegation play-offs, have led the league for several weeks this year. They are currently just two points off the top and are looking forward this summer to a first European campaign in 12 years. Doherty's new deal will see him at the club until at least the end of the 2027 season. He has been in charge since December 2021, when he took over from Tim Clancy. If he sees out his new deal, he will overtake Paul Doolin as the club's longest-serving manager. Click this link or scan the QR code to receive the latest League of Ireland news and top stories from the Irish Mirror. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Doherty reacted to the deal by saying: 'I'm delighted to commit my future to Drogheda United. 'Anybody that knows me knows how much I love this club, the players, the staff, the volunteers and the supporters. This has been my home for 7 and a half years and I couldn't be prouder to lead this club into the exciting future we have before us. 'I really feel we have built something very special here and with the future plans that Trivela Group have along with my own personal goals I truly believe we are aligned in our vision for the club. 'I'd like to thank Ben, Wes and Matt for their continued support, and Rian Wogan for his immediate impact and professionalism. I'd also like to thank both the executive board and wider volunteer group too for everything. 'These people make the club and are one of my main reasons for wanting to extend my connection. 'As I've previously said, November 10th (the FAI Cup final) was so far the best day of my life and that pride I felt, having the whole club and community's support will forever stay in my heart. 'My aim now is to create more memories and give the people of Drogheda the success they deserve.' Drogheda United CEO, Rian Wogan added: 'Kevin's impact on Drogheda United has been exceptional. He's brought stability, ambition, and belief to the club, culminating in last season's incredible FAI Cup win. 'Kevin's ambition and love for Drogheda United is infectious, and as a club with strong ties to the community, he is a leader that our fans can resonate with. We're proud to have him leading us into the next phase of our journey.'
Irish Independent
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Drogheda United boss Kevin Doherty demands better for Tallaght showdown against Shamrock Rovers
The Boynesiders needed a stoppage-time Ryan Brennan penalty to see off Cork City, and Doherty accepted that defensive errors his team have made in recent games could be costly if they're repeated in Tallaght (kick-off 7.45pm) for a game that is being screened live on Virgin Media TV. However, he's not about to abandon the playing system that has kept his team on top of the Premier Division for most of the season so far.
Irish Independent
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Drogheda United spot kick hero Ryan Brennan was not that confident
HE'D just scored the 96th-minute winning goal for his home-town club in front of the Drogheda fans to put them back on top of the Premier Division table - but Ryan Brennan emerged from the dressing-rooms in less than celebratory mood. The captain was happy to see the Boynesiders overcome Cork City 3-2 thanks to his coolly-converted penalty, but he felt the performance could have been a lot better and he's hoping Drogheda can raise their game for Friday's trip to face Shamrock Rovers in Tallaght Stadium.
