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Irish Independent
7 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).
The Irish Sun
08-08-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
‘We don't do anything different to others' – Kevin Doherty rubbishes Drogheda's time-wasting accusations
Kevin Doherty claims if a certain other League of Ireland club did it they wouldn't receive the same backlash NOT FAIR 'We don't do anything different to others' – Kevin Doherty rubbishes Drogheda's time-wasting accusations KEVIN Doherty feels Drogheda United get a bad rap over their game management. The fourth-placed Drogs could go second in the top flight tonight if they earn a third win in a row by beating Waterford at Sullivan and Lambe Park. Advertisement 2 The 45-year-old feels hard done by with the reputation Drogs have earned themselves 2 Drogs are 11 points off the league leaders but are firmly in the race for European spots Tipped for relegation at the start of the year, the FAI Cup holders have challenged all season with a brand of football that has earned them respect. Defensively solid, Drogs are regularly dominated in the possession stats but come out on top. But rival fanbases have hated games against the dogged Drogs who have the third-best defensive record in the league. And it is common for opposition benches to pressure referees about time-wasting — especially if keeper Luke Dennison suffers an injury that requires a stoppage. Advertisement But Doherty argued his side are doing nothing different to anyone else. He shrugged: 'People always say that about us. Not once did I tell a player to get down. We don't do anything different to any other team. 'Maybe people do think that about us, but if Shamrock Rovers do that they are brilliant at playing the game and game management and all that.' Elicha Ahui, Zishim Bawa and Scott Brady are ruled out through injury for Drogs tonight. Paul Doyle is close to a return. Advertisement Waterford are without Kacper Radkowski and Matty Smith. Jordan Rossiter is fit after a knock.
Irish Daily Mirror
08-08-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Kevin Doherty hits back at jibes aimed at his Drogheda side
Kevin Doherty doesn't care if Drogheda United are accused of wily game management as he reckons other teams get patted on the back for it. Drogheda go into tonight's home clash with Waterford buoyed after sinking Bohemians away at Dalymount Park last Friday. Fresh from their training camp in Spain - a consolation for their devastating European expulsion - they have won back-to-back games, in the FAI Cup and dominated possession last week but couldn't find any way past a defence that was superbly led by imposing centre-back Conor times when it looked like Bohs were about to get on top, Drogheda would slow down the game with a player needing Gypsies fans were growing increasingly irate in the stands, vocal in their belief that Drogheda were turning to the dark arts to suit their needs. But the FAI Cup holders stuck to their gameplan and won the game four minutes from time, when Welsh striker Josh Thomas slotted home on a devastating counter attack. 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 . Asked about stoppages and delays in play, and whether it was a skill to manage games, Drogs boss Doherty said: 'People always say that about us.'Not once did I tell a player to get down. It's nearly like, what's the word? Cried wolf?. Lads are going down injured at times. Maybe people do think that about us.'But if Shamrock Rovers do that they are brilliant at playing the game and game management and all that type of stuff. 'We don't do anything different to any other team and if you actually look back at the stats, we were the least fouled team in the league (at one point this season).' Manager Kevin Doherty celebrates Drogheda United's late win over Bohemians at Dalymount Park (Image: ©INPHO/James Lawlor) Keeley has been in outstanding form for Drogheda, who could move up to second in the table tonight if results go their at his old club this year after a miserable spell at St Pat's, the big centre-back has been one of the best defenders in the league this Doherty said: 'Conor is the most underrated player in the league. I don't want to tempt anything because I want to have him forever. I gave him his debut at 17.'I don't know what other people's opinions are, but mine is that he's one of the best centre halves in the league and I'm delighted that he's here.'Josh Thomas has also signalled his return - from a serious thigh injury in February - with goals in the FAI Cup win over Crumlin United and the winner at Bohs last that game, the on-loan Swansea City striker revealed he could have joined Bohemians over the winter but opted for Drogheda after talking to Doherty. Doherty feels that Drogheda's proven track record of successful loans with players coming from the UK stands to them in that regard. And he added: 'I don't bullshit them and promise them stuff. I could tell him to watch our games on YouTube, as the Cup final and playoff are up there. 'But there's a reason Josh is here and he'll have to tell you why he was sold on us rather than other clubs. 'I'm just delighted to get a player of his quality and to have him for the year. He missed a lot with the injury, so to have him back again is brilliant.'
Irish Independent
02-08-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
‘They are the best bunch of players we've had' – Drogheda United boss Kevin Doherty hails squad after European setback
Trip to Spain works wonders for Drogs as win over Bohemians pushes Louth club closer to Euro spot Kevin Doherty has hailed his Drogheda United players for proving that a consolation training camp in Spain was about work rather than play. The Boynesiders bounced back from an unwanted break to score a fourth successive victory over Bohemians last night, a result that keeps their European ambitions alive.
Irish Daily Mirror
02-08-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
"I trust the players" - Drogheda's Spanish training camp already reaping rewards
Kevin Doherty feels Drogheda United have already reaped the rewards of their Spanish getaway after rocking Bohemians for the fourth time in a row. Josh Thomas pounced for an 86th minute winner at Dalymount Park on Friday night, to win a game where Bohemians dominated possession, but not the chances. It was Drog's fourth consecutive 1-0 win over the Gypsies in the league and moves them to within a point of second-placed Bohs. And manager Doherty has hailed his players for rallying back from their European nightmare. FAI Cup winners Drogheda were controversially bombed out of the Europa Conference League due to UEFA's multi-club ownership rules. 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 . It was a devastating blow, so the club's American owners arranged for the squad to go to Spain for a training camp when those European games should have been played. And Doherty insists it wasn't a jolly up in the sun, pointing to this precious victory over the Gypsies as evidence. Doherty said: 'I can guarantee you, if (the result) went the other way it would be 'What were they doing in Spain?' You know that type of attitude. We did eight sessions in five days in Spain. Why would you give up the opportunity? The place was brilliant. Drogheda's James Bolger collides with Cian Byrne of Bohemians (Image: ©INPHO/James Lawlor) 'It's been a long time since I've been there as I was there at Shels. The place was so, so good. It's unbelievable. The main pitch was like a carpet. We used to do (training camps) all the time with Shels. Even with Longford we did it once, in Marbella, the good old days. 'Now this wasn't a pre-season trip over. We all know the reason why we were there. It was getting lads together, letting them go out and have walks in the evening. 'We did have one night. We all had a meal together, the night of the Shels game, then we went out and the lads went on. Fine. Grand. Once out of five or six nights and it was 12 days away from this game against Bohs. I trust them and I told them that, I do trust them.' Doherty continued: 'The work rate is phenomenal. They work so hard. I know it's all 'we've the best fans in the country, we've the best work rate in the players' but we do. 'Those lads, if I told them to run through the gate, they'd run through that gate. They are absolutely brilliant and I said it to them, they are the best bunch of players we had. 'We won the Cup last year and had a great year. To go on from that, and then Europe and all that type of stuff….. 'To go through what we've gone through over the last couple of months, I don't know of any other group of players that would have been able to do it.' Bohemians boss Alan Reynolds was frustrated that his team couldn't capitalise on all their possession to threaten the Drogheda goal more The defeat means that leaders Shamrock Rovers will open a 10-point lead at the top if they can beat Derry City at Tallaght Stadium on Sunday night. Reynolds said: 'We dominated the whole 90 minutes but we needed to be more clinical in the final third. There was a lack of quality. 'I don't think we worked their keeper enough. We also spoke about the counter attack and keeping the back door tight and solid and not giving them anything.' Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email .
