Latest news with #DROGHEDAUNITED
The Irish Sun
01-08-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Late Josh Thomas strike sinks Bohemians as Drogheda United edge fiery clash for third 1-0 win this season
DROGHEDA UNITED claimed all three points at Dalymount Park thanks to bish, bash, Josh. Substitute Josh Thomas scored the only goal in the 86th minute in his first game in more than five months. Advertisement 2 Josh Thomas of Drogheda United scored a late winner as Bohs slumped yet again 2 Alan Reynolds' side have failed to take points from Drogheda in 2025 - that's after three games between the sides The decisive moment summed up the sides' contrasting styles when another intricate Bohs' attack broke down when Conor Keely got to the ball ahead of Ross Tierney. He wasted no time in picking out Thomas who had made a nuisance of himself after being brought on and was lucky to escape a booking for twice catching Rob Cornwall late. But, when it came to a race between the pair, with Niall Morahan also in pursuit, the on-loan Swansea City striker showed a clean pair of heels before slotting home. Advertisement read more on football It was the third successive 1-0 for Drogheda against Bohs this season, with Douglas James-Taylor was the difference between the sides last time out. He had swapped clubs in the meantime but missed out here through illness. That saw Colm Whelan lead the line with another ex-Drogheda player, James Clarke, playing just behind him. But Bohs' main attacking threat came from Dawson Devoy and Ross Tierney with the pair, in their second spells here after a stint cross-channel, both operating on the same wavelength. Advertisement Most read in Football Latest Live Blog That was never more in evidence when Tierney made a clever run in behind with Devoy producing the sort of pass that few players in the league can to pick him out. Tiernery looked certain to score but his left-foot shot was kept out by the knee of Drogheda keeper Luke Dennison. Fears Pep Guardiola's 'imminent' divorce could hurt Man City as boss' relationship with wife continues to deteriorate The roles were twice reversed later on in the half when Tierney pulled the ball back to Devoy who was outside the box but his effort was deflected behind for a corner. Then, he found Devoy who did well to keep the ball in before laying it off to Connor Parsons who teed up Niall Morahan but his shot was well off-target. Advertisement Whilst Bohs were well on top, Drogheda had their moments, often in second phases from dead-ball situations. From a Conor Kane throw in, James Bolger headed it back to fellow defender Conor Keeley who connected with the ball brilliantly but his dipping volley was just too high whilst Andrew Quinn gave Kacper Chorazka a moment of concern with a shot from close range. There was a good bit of niggle in the game too with five yellow cards handed out in the first half, four of them in a two-minute period. Within six minutes of the restart, both teams had had a penalty appeal waved away. Advertisement First of all, Whelan appeared to be pushed in the back by Bolger but referee Paul Norton was unmoved. And, when Luke Heeney went down at the other end, all he got for his trouble was a booking. The second half followed a similar pattern to the first with Bohs having the lion's share of the ball but, whenever it looked as though they might have found a breakthrough, a Drogheda player was there to intervene. That is exactly what happened when Devoy slid the ball through to Clarke who laid it off to Whelan and went to collect the return pass before Keeley cut across him to make a vital interception. Advertisement The manner in which the centre-half celebrated his contribution underlined its importance. When Devoy played in Whelan a moment or two later, this time it was Bolger who got his body in the way to block the shot. Some thought their side had finally made the breakthrough in the 73rd minute. Devoy played Parsons into space down the left. He checked back and delivered a right-foot cross to beyond the far post where Tierney was unmarked. Advertisement The former Motherwell and Walsall player's volley rippled the net, prompting celebrations in various pockets of the ground but they were short-lived as the realisation spread that his effort had gone the wrong side of the post. Bohemian FC 0 - 1 Drogheda United Eventually, Thomas showed the ruthlessness which Bohs lacked. SUN STAR MAN: Conor Keeley (Drogheda) BOHEMIANS: Chorazka 7; Byrne 6 (Buckley 71, 5), Cornwall 6 (Strods 90, 3), Flores 7; Rooney 7, Morahan 6, Devoy 8, Parsons 5 (Brennan 80, 5); Tierney 7, Clarke 7; Whelan 6 (McDonnell 80, 5). DROGHEDA UNITED: Dennison 7; Bolger 7 (Cooper 88, 3), Keeley 8, Quinn7; Lambe 6, Brennan 6 (O'Sullivan 88, 3), Markey 7, Heeney 5 (Farrell 77,5 ), Kane 7; Oluwa 5 (Davis 63, 5), Kareem 5 (Thomas 63, 7). REFEREE: P Norton (Dublin) 5 Advertisement
The Irish Sun
06-07-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Kevin Doherty reveals ‘strong words' with Drogheda Utd teen star, 19, amid early struggles after heroics vs Galway Utd
DROGHEDA UNITED boss Kevin Doherty made a Daring call that paid off against Galway United. Doherty handed a first start to 19-year-old Advertisement And after powering home in the 49th minute, the teenage forward ran straight to embrace his gaffer. But things have not always been rosy between the two. Doherty said: 'I'm delighted for him, he was excellent. When he came to us at the start of the season, it took him a while to get going. He wasn't in physical shape to play for the 20s, never mind us. 'I had some strong words with him but also gave him love as well, which you need to do. He's responded excellently.' Advertisement Read More on League of Ireland Kareem joined the Drogs in the close-season after spending time in the St Pat's academy. With Warren Davis and Josh Thomas injured, and ex-loan striker Douglas James-Taylor now at Bohemians, Kareem grabbed his chance with both hands. Doherty continued: 'It wasn't a hunch because I've seen it in training. I've seen that he will really, really suit us and suit this league. 'It's great and you're a genius when these things works out. Advertisement Most read in Football 'I had no doubts. I was speaking to a couple of supporters about him before the game and I said, 'I'm telling you, this is going to work for us' and thankfully it did.' Drogheda have a quiet July ahead with only Crumlin United to come in the League of Ireland mascots compete in charity race in Naas After the Cup holders get their defence under way on July 18, they will have a training camp before league action returns. Doherty added: 'We've played five games in two weeks, with six players missing. Advertisement 'We'll be fresh coming into games now. We're a really good side. When we're not playing five games in 14 days, we'll continue to be a good side.' 1 Drogheda United manager Kevin Doherty celebrates with Fuhad Kareem after the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division match against Galway United Credit: Tyler Miller/Sportsfile
The 42
16-06-2025
- Sport
- The 42
Drogheda United expelled from Conference League after losing appeal
DROGHEDA UNITED HAVE been expelled from the Uefa Conference League after losing an appeal with the Court for Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The League of Ireland club submitted an appeal after Uefa notified them that they face expulsion from this season's Uefa Conference League regarding multi-club ownership for the FAI Cup champions. A statement from Drogheda United reads: 'To our supporters, players, staff, volunteers, and the entire Drogheda community, It is with great heartbreak and disbelief that we inform you we have lost our appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. We strongly disagree with this decision, and had hoped and believed that the principles of fairness and common sense would prevail. Advertisement 'After months of engagement, constructive dialogue, countless hours of legal preparation, and multiple proposals based on frameworks that have been accepted in the past, we have come up short. Despite genuine and vocal support across the football world, the ruling did not fall in our favour. We are heartbroken by the outcome. 'We know that this decision will cause hurt and frustration across our entire community. Not just because of the decision itself, but because we know how much this meant to everyone associated with Drogheda United. We know how hard this team fought to earn a place in European competition. We know how transformational that opportunity would have been, not just financially, but emotionally for our players, our staff, and our community. 'We disagree with this decision. We believe it is unjust. Rules should protect opportunity, not prevent it. Especially for community-driven clubs like ours who fight every day to punch above their weight. 'Nevertheless, we accept responsibility. And we're sorry. But while we are saddened, we are also emboldened. 'We will not let this setback define us. Instead, we will use it as fuel. Our club has never been handed anything and we've earned every inch through grit, resilience, and unity. And we will continue to do so. 'We will push for reform so that no other community club finds itself in this position again. All parties can do better. And we will do our part to make sure we all do. We will share more in the coming days. 'But for now, our focus turns back to what we can control: the ongoing LOI campaign and our FAI Cup title defense, beginning in July against Crumlin. There is work to be done, on the pitch and off it. We are here. And we are not going anywhere. We will continue to invest in all areas of the club, including plans for a new stadium. We want to be regulars in Europe. 'This club is on the rise. Our league is on the rise. And no single outcome will change that. 'We fight on. Together.' More to follow…
Irish Examiner
30-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Keeley clinches point for Drogs at Waterford
SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division WATERFORD FC 2 DROGHEDA UNITED 2 Conor Keeley rescued an unlikely share of the spoils for Drogheda United as Waterford FC's inability to defend set pieces came back to haunt them deep into second-half injury-time in their SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division clash at the RSC. After Blues skipper Padraig Amond thought that he had won the game with an 81st-minute finish, the visitors had the final laugh in added time when the central defender hammered home from close-range when he was left unmarked at the back post to meet a Darragh Markey corner-kick. The Waterford front three combined for the breakthrough goal on 19 minutes. Conan Noonan slipped the ball into the feet of Amond, who in turn played the perfectly weighted pass for Tommy Lonergan, who beat keeper Luke Dennison with a deflected effort off Elicha Ahui from 14 yards. Drogheda were level from a set piece at the other end four minutes later. Shane Farrell sent in a left-wing corner-kick into the centre of the penalty area, and Warren Davis powered a simple close-range header to the far corner past a helpless Stephen McMullan. Davis was twice denied in a bid to give his side the lead on 40 minutes when Shane Farrell whipped in another dangerous left-wing corner that saw Conor Keeley send the ball back into the six-yard box for the striker, but after Rowan McDonald blocked his initial effort, he hooked the rebound just over. John Coleman's side got their noses in front on 81 minutes when Grant Horton sent over a right-wing cross that saw Elicha Ahui clear to Dean McMenamy, who saw his goalbound effort touched home by Padraig Amond past Luke Dennison. The leveller came three minutes into added time from another set piece. Darragh Markey swung over a right-wing corner-kick to the back post, where the unchallenged Conor Keeley blasted high to the roof of the net from close-range before Elicha Ahui was sent off late on for a second yellow card. WATERFORD FC: McMullan; Horton, McDonald, Leahy, Burke; Olayinka (McMenamy 77), Glenfield (McCormack 85), White; Lonergan (Pouwels 88), Amond, Noonan. DROGHEDA UNITED: Dennison; Lambe (Cruise 61), Keeley, Quinn, Ahui, Kane; Heeney, Markey, Farrell (Bawa 77); Davis, Taylor (Oluwa 53) Referee: Rob Harvey (Dublin). Attendance: 2241
The 42
16-05-2025
- Sport
- The 42
Drogheda United boss Kevin Doherty agrees new deal until the end of 2027
DROGHEDA UNITED MANAGER Kevin Doherty has committed his future to the club and agreed a new contract to run until the end of the 2027 League of Ireland season. Doherty led the Louth club to FAI Cup glory last November, and currently has Drogheda flying high in third place in the Premier Division, only two points adrift of leaders Shamrock Rovers. 'This has been my home for seven and a half years and I couldn't be prouder to lead this club into the exciting future we have before us,' Doherty said on Friday. Advertisement He added: 'As I've previously said, November 10th 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 hailed Doherty's impact since taking the manager's job in 2021 as '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.' Drogheda host second-placed Derry City in Weavers Park on Friday evening [7.45pm, LOITV].
