Latest news with #Drogs
Irish Examiner
2 days ago
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Drogs must act fast to resolve Conference League conflict
Trivela's ownership of Drogheda United may have to be divested to prevent the FAI Cup holders losing their place in the Europa Conference League draw on June 13. Uefa rules debar clubs with the same owners facing each other in competition for sporting integrity purposes. An obstacle has arisen for Drogs due to Silkeborg IF qualifying from the Danish league for the same competition over the weekend. American investors Trivela possess both clubs within their multi-club stable – Drogheda's on a full 100% stake and their latest purchase, Silkeborg, with an 80% shareholding. A statement released by the Louth club on Sunday night offered no assurance of Drogs' first foray into Europe for 12 years proceeding, other than citing ongoing discussions with Uefa. Those talks will centre on the degree of control Trivela carry over each entity. English FA Cup winners Crystal Palace are also deadlocked in negotiations with the governing body due to a potential conflict with Lyon's entrance to the Europa League. American John Textor has stakes in each both Palace argue his minority 25% shareholding doesn't accord him stewardship of decision-making. He owns 41% of Lyon. Drogs must act fast to resolve the blockers because in such conflicts, precedence is given to the club which finishes highest in the league. Drogs qualified through the Cup, Silkeborg the league. FAI Cup runners-up Derry City are ineligible to replace Drogs as, according to the Derry Journal, they didn't apply for a Uefa licence.
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
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. Read More on League of Ireland '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. Most read in Sport '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.'
The Irish Sun
17-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Derry City spoil the party at Drogheda United with last-minute equaliser to silence home support
DOM THOMAS was the Derry City hero as they snatched an unlikely draw in the 90th minute against Drogheda United. Elicha Ahui looked to have set the Drogs on the way to a victory on what was already a memorable day for the club. Advertisement United announced earlier on that Kevin Doherty had signed a two-year contract extension. The beloved boss is set to stay at the club until the end of the 2027 season. He might have his sights set on even more scalps against the Foylesiders in the next 2½ half years. They came mightily close to securing a fourth straight win against City until Thomas' first goal for his new club. Ahui especially likes playing against Derry. Advertisement Read More On Irish Football His last appearance against them was a man-of-the-match display in November's FAI Cup final. He has three Drogheda goals to his name and two of them have come against City. The first was the winner in a 1-0 victory at the Ryan McBride Bandywell two years ago. And he set Drogs on their way on home soil this time. Advertisement Most read in Football With regular set-piece taker Shane Farrell suspended, Owen Lambe was on corner duty. Ahui met his delivery from the right with a header in line with the front post. The on-loan Walsall defender got in front of Sam Todd and directed it downwards beyond Brian Maher. Damien Duff mercilessly trolled by rival fans over bizarre attempt to go incognito while serving ban And that was Drogheda in front five minutes before the break. It was no less than Doherty's team deserved. This was a major reaction to last week's disappointing display at Tallaght Stadium. Advertisement With Darragh Markey still injured, six-goal striker Warren Davis was playing in the No 10 role. He had one of the few opportunities in the opening half hour but it was a half chance at best. 1 Elicha Ahui of Drogheda United celebrates after opening the scoring in the 1-1 draw He side-footed wide when Mark Connolly's headed clearance fell kindly for him. Advertisement Derry's only real glimpse at goal came via a rapid breakaway. Gavin Whyte and Michael Duffy outnumbered Conor Kane on the counter. But the Drogs defender beat Whyte in the one-on-one and Duffy was left frustrated. Referee Kevin O'Sullivan showed three yellow cards inside the first 15 minutes. Derry's Adam O'Reilly and Robbie Benson were booked. And Thomas Oluwa joined them for leaving an arm in on Connolly. Advertisement Drogheda nearly got another. Ahui dispossessed Duffy deep in the Drogheda half and kept going. He beat Kevin Holt on the sideline and continued into the area before squaring for Oluwa. The forward set himself but shot wide. Minutes later, Oluwa saw a header from Kane's cross tipped over by Maher. LATE LATE SHOW A chance was bound to come Derry's way eventually and one fell to a player who has broken many a Drog heart over the years. Advertisement Patrick Hoban has ten league goals against United to his name but he could not add to it. In the 90th minute, another sub, Thomas, took aim with a speculative effort that took a wicked deflection off Brennan and deceived Luke Dennison. The 29-year-old midfielder wheeled away in celebration as Drogs' heads dropped in despair. SUN STAR MAN Conor Keeley (Drogheda) Advertisement DROGHEDA UTD: Dennison 6; Ahui 6, Keeley 6, Bolger 6; Lambe 6, Brennan 6, Heeney 6, Kane 6; Davis 6 (Bosakani 88, 6); James-Taylor 6 (Brady 75, 6), Oluwa 6. DERRY CITY: Maher 6; Cann 6, Connolly 6, Holt 6; Harkin 6 (Mullen 46, 6), O'Reilly 6, Benson 6, Todd 6; Whyte 6 (Thomas 68, 6), Boyce 6 (Hoban 73, 6), Duffy 6 (McMullan 68, 6). REFEREE: K O'Sullivan (Cork) 7.
Belfast Telegraph
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Super-sub Dom Thomas earns Derry City deserved draw at Drogheda United
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
The Irish Sun
16-05-2025
- Business
- The Irish Sun
‘My home' – Kevin Doherty adds to great vibes around Drogheda United by agreeing contract extension
KEVIN DOHERTY has signed a new contract at Drogheda United to remain in charge for another two and a half years. Doherty, 45, took charge of the Drogs' in 2022 having been Tim Clancy's assistant for four seasons. But he was in the final year of his current deal having gone full-time last year and guided the club to FAI Cup glory. The entire squad switched from part-time to full-time this season too and have had a great start to the season that saw them leading the table until last weekend. Doherty revealed a month ago that he had not held talks about a contract extension, but negotiations were wrapped up quickly on a new deal that runs until the end of 2027. The Drogs gaffer said: 'I'm delighted to commit my future to Drogheda United. Read More On Irish Football '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 seven 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. Drogheda United CEO Rian Wogan added: 'Kevin's impact on Drogheda United has been exceptional. Most read in Football '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. 'Knew the camera was on him' - Fans divided by Nathan Jones' antics as he kneels down and PRAYS before final whistle 'We're proud to have him leading us into the next phase of our journey.' 1 They currently sit third in the table with 24 points from their 15 games
