Latest news with #Drogheda
Irish Independent
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Drab stalemate in Waterford clash leaves Drogheda United feeling blue
Dropped points elsewhere by Bohemians, Shelbourne and Derry City limited the damage to Drogheda United's European aspirations following this disappointing draw against Waterford at Sullivan & Lambe Park on Friday night. In a game of few chances the Boynesiders did rack up their fourth consecutive clean sheet, but they were lacking in quality at the opposite end of the pitch against the joint worst defence in the Premier Division and failed to test Stephen McMullan in the Waterford goal all evening. Opposition boss John Coleman had said in the build-up to this game that he'd be trying to do to Drogheda what they did to Bohs the previous week, in other words defending resiliently and then trying to hit them on the break, and Waterford will be well pleased with their night's work despite failing to complete the job by snatching a shock winner. The Boynesiders began brightly enough and in the fourth minute Darragh Markey had a shot blocked and Shane Farrell's follow-up from distance grazed the crossbar. Oluwa then sent a looping header just too high from Markey's floated cross, before Conor Kane and Markey combined to put Oluwa down the left flank and he cut the ball back to Owen Lambe whose shot was blocked by Ryan Burke. Oluwa then got on the end of a lovely floated pass by Shane Farrell and cut inside before sending a tame shot straight into the hands of McMullan. At the other end Lambe gave away possession cheaply and from the resulting Waterford attack the ball sat up nicely for Conan Noonan and his half-volley was superbly turned away by keeper Luke Dennison. Just past the half-hour mark, Oluwa pick-pocketed Burke and took off down the pitch and had a two-on-one situation as Josh Thomas came up in support, but the former Wexford striker went for goal himself and his shot was brilliantly blocked away for a corner by last man Kyle White. Oluwa had a couple of other half-chances coming up to half-time, and just after the break James Bolger's pass released Lambe in behind the Waterford defence and he squared towards Thomas whose low shot lacked power as McMullan again made a routine save. A similar effort at the other end by former Liverpool and Rangers midfielder Jordan Dennison mwas easily gathered by Dennison, but Drogheda continued to have the upper hand and Oluwa fired an angled effort into the side netting after an assist from Conor Keeley, before Keeley himself hooked over the bar. ADVERTISEMENT The longer the game went on, though, the more Waterford seemed to grow in confidence and the final quarter was an evenly contested affair. Tommy Lonergan had a sight of goal in the 71st minute as he drifted infield, but Andrew Quinn did just enough to put off the former St Pat's man whose shot flew well wide. Lonergan then headed just over the bar from a Noonan corner, before Padraig Amond glanced a header straight into the hands of Dennison. Drogheda threatened from a couple of corner kicks in stoppage time, but Waterford defended gamely and ultimately were good value for a rare point on the road. Drogheda United: Luke Dennison 7; James Bolger 8, Conor Keeley 8, Andrew Quinn8 ; Owen Lambe 6, Ryan Brennan 8, Shane Farrell 8 (John O'Sullivan 77min, 6), Conor Kane 7; Darragh Markey 7, Thomas Oluwa 6 (Dare Kareem 85min), Josh Thomas 6 (Warren Davis 62min, 6). Subs not used: Aaron Harper-Bailey, George Cooper, Kieran Cruise, Luke Heeney, Michael Cardo, Jack Brady. Waterford: Stephen McMullan 7; Grant Horton 8, Rowan McDonald 8, Andy Boyle 8, Ryan Burke 8; Conan Noonan 8, James Olayinka 7, Jordan Rossiter 7, Kyle White 7; Padraig Amond 8, Tommy Lonergan 6 (Trae Bailey Coyle 86min). Subs not used: (Adam Coyne, Bradley Wade, Jesse Dempsey, Sean Keane, Adam Queally, Dean McMenamy, Sam Glenfield, Josh Miles. Attendance: 2,194
RTÉ News
2 days ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Drogheda and Waterford play out dreary scoreless draw
Drogheda United and Waterford played out a forgettable scoreless draw at Sullivan & Lambe Park, in one leg of a barren Premier Division evening. A point apiece does nothing to further both teams objectives in any meaningful way. United at least have extended their unbeaten league sequence to three games as they chase European qualification with just nine matches to play now. John Coleman's team are eight points clear of Sligo Rovers in ninth, having played a game more. But they are adrift of the teams hoping to maintain a top four push. This result changes little for them. After his goalscoring appearance off the bench at Dalymount Park last week, Josh Thomas was handed a first Drogheda start since February in attack while Shane Farrell replaced Luke Heeney in midfield. In attempting to end a run of four games without victory against the Drogs, Coleman made two changes for the Blues, with Kyle White and James Olayinka replacing the absent Darragh Leahy and Finlay Armstrong. Waterford's run of three straight victories was ended at Richmond Park last weekend and Drogheda were likely to provide another stern test for them, themselves on a three-match winning streak in all competitions. Back-to-back one-nil wins in the league had already re-energised their bid for European qualification in 2026 and this result keeps them very much in the conversation. They are level on point with second placed Derry City, in fact. At the 27-match mark, that is quite an achievement for this Drogheda team. They have improved to such an extent this season that this is a result that they will have expected to win. To take only a point will be disappointing. They might have shaded it and certainly had the better opportunities throughout the 90 minutes. Thomas Oluwa turned out for the Blues two years ago and almost proved had them beaten by the Boyne. In he first half, the pacy attacker left Jordan Rossiter floored in midfield before darting into the penalty area, only to see his shot deflected over by White. Oluwa went closer again in the second half, when he turned quickly to latch onto Conor Keeley's flick on. His shot hit the side netting on the near post side. Owen Lambe and Thomas also had sighters on goal while Waterford could count only tame enough long range efforts from Rossiter and Conan Noonan for their efforts. The latter at least forced a save from Luke Dennison, but it was simple really. Coleman did not make a change until the 86th minute and the Blues simply did not look likely to win it. A flurry of late corners gave Drogheda a chance, but the visitors saw it out. Drogheda United: Luke Dennison; James Bolger, Conor Keeley, Andrew Quinn; Owen Lambe, Ryan Brennan, Shane Farrell (John O'Sullivan, 77), Conor Kane; Darragh Markey; Thomas Oluwa (Dare Kareem, 85), Josh Thomas (Warren Davis, 62). Waterford: Stephen McMullan; Rowan McDonald, Andy Boyle, Ryan Burke; Grant Horton, Jordan Rossiter, James Olayinka, Kyle White; Conan Noonan, Padraig Amond, Tommy Lonergan (Trae Bailey Coyle, 86).
Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Drogheda fail to take chances as Waterford claim a point in scoreless draw
This draw was Drogheda's 13th of the season, more than any other team. Yet only leaders Shamrock Rovers have lost fewer matches than Kevin Doherty's hard to beat side. Their Windmill Road ground is a fortress for the most part and another outing without defeat underlines that fact. Still, a draw in that context is disappointing for a team who were chasing a fourth successive win in all competitions - following recent wins over Galway United and Bohemians in the league, either side of an FAI Cup trouncing of non-league Crumlin United. Drogheda were unbeaten in four matches against the Blues upon John Coleman's side arriving. It's five now but certainly an opportunity lost in that battle for European qualification. United's most clear-cut opportunities fell the way of Thomas Oluwa in either half. First the lightning-fast attacker left grounded Jordan Rossiter with a smart turn and raced towards goal but his shot was deflected over the bar via a Kyle White recovery tackle. He hit the side-netting on the hour mark when latching onto Conor Keeley's flick-on, attempting to beat goalkeeper Stephen McMullan at his near post. Owen Lambe had earlier seen a shot cleared by White when it looked en route to goal. Waterford's only genuine sights of goal were from the boots of Rossiter and Conan Noonan. Both efforts were from range and relatively comfortable for Luke Dennison. Drogheda United: Dennison; Bolger, Keeley, Quinn; Lambe, Brennan, Farrell (O'Sullivan, 77), Kane; Markey; Oluwa (Kareem, 85), Thomas (Davis, 62).
Irish Examiner
2 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Unable to break the deadlock Drogheda and Waterford share the spoils
SSE Airtricity Premier Division: Drogheda United 0 Waterford 0 The points were shared but there were no goals to split between Drogheda United and Waterford at Sullivan & Lambe Park. As their July consisted of a Spanish training camp rather than a competitive European tie, Drogheda look refreshed going into the season's final stretch. There is no sense whatsoever that this a group that feels sorry for themselves post-European heartache. Nor does it appear Drogheda will fade away. Their strong start to the season has extended far beyond the campaign's opening weeks and months. They will have had eyes on this game as an opportunity to consolidate their place in the race for the top four. A draw, in that context, is disappointing. They had plenty of chances to win it; especially in the first half. Owen Lambe saw his goal bound shot blocked by Ryan Burke and after Thomas Oluwa surged into the box, Kyle White did superbly well to deflect his effort over. There were half chances aplenty as well and at the other end, Conan Noonan and Jordan Rossiter both forced saves from Luke Dennison. Noonan's especially is worthy of note. The on-loan Shamrock Rovers player forced a diving save from the United goalkeeper. Waterford had a three-match winning streak of their own ended against St Patrick's Athletic last weekend. Victories over Galway and Cork City have brightened the skies over the RSC of late. With the division's leading goalscorer Padraig Amond in tow, the visitors could never be discounted. He tried his luck against all three Drogheda centre-backs throughout, but it was in short supply for him in truth. United's best opportunity of the second half, which like the first they bested, was when Oluwa latched onto Conor Keeley's flick-on, but his attempt to beat Stephen McMullan at his near post rippled the side netting. DROGHEDA UTD: Dennison; Bolger, Keeley, Quinn; Lambe, Brennan, Farrell (O'Sullivan, 77), Kane; Markey; Oluwa (Kareem, 85), Thomas (Davis, 62). WATERFORD: McMullan; McDonald, Boyle, Burke; Horton, Rossiter, Olayinka, White; Noonan, Amond, Lonergan (Coyle, 86). Referee: Marc Lynch
Irish Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Bohs determined to burst Shels' bubble ahead of high stakes European decider
Alan Reynolds reckons Shelbourne are 'back playing like champions again'. But the Bohemians boss is determined to catch the Reds off guard in between their big European ties with Rijeka. Shels pulled off a famous come-from-behind win in Croatia on Wednesday and carry a 2-1 lead into Tuesday's deciding tie. If they see it out, Shels will go into the Europa League playoff, and secure a lucrative Conference League league phase campaign as a fallback. That would bank the club at least €3.8 million and manager Joey O'Brien is calling for more of the same in between European ties. Sandwiched between their Champions League trip to Qarabag in Azerbaijan and this week's jaunt to Croatia, Shels went to Sligo last weekend and won. 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 . Ahead of Saturday's sold out derby at Tolka Park (5.00pm), Gypsies boss Reynolds said: 'It's going to be a big occasion and we need everyone to rise to it. Shels have been back playing like champions again and they are one of the form teams in the league, so this is a massive challenge. Joey O'Brien (Image: ©INPHO/Aleksandar Djorovic) 'They won't make things easy for us so our performance levels need to be at their very best. After the result they got in Europe and the run they have been on in the league, their confidence is going to be high and the atmosphere should be electric.' Reynolds is also demanding that Bohs be more aggressive in front of goal after coming out the wrong side of a 1-0 home defeat to Drogheda last week. Bohs dominated possession but were hit by a late sucker punch as Drogheda nicked the points four minutes from time. 'We've shown this season that we have great attacking players who can cause damage but against teams who are so well organised we have to be braver,' he said. 'Teams like Drogheda and Shelbourne don't cough up many chances. We know we have the ability to be better than we were last week.' Shels could rotate their team with Tuesday in mind, but can't afford any sleep ups in the league either as they are off the pace in fifth. Douglas James-Taylor is back from injury for Bohs but Cian Byrne is a doubt. Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email .
