Latest news with #LukeDennison
Irish Times
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Times
FAI Cup: Luke Dennison the hero as holders Drogheda United knock Derry City out on penalties
FAI Cup: Derry City 1 (Duffy 73) Drogheda United 1 (Quinn 2) (Drogheda win 3-0 on penalties) Luke Dennison proved the hero for Drogheda United in an emphatic penalty shootout victory over 10-man Derry City at Brandywell as the FAI Cup holders progressed to the quarter-finals. The American goalkeeper saved twice from Jamie Stott and Danny Mullen while Adam Frizzell fired over the bar as the Boynesiders won 3-0 on penalties with Owen Lambe dispatching the winning spotkick. It is one win in the last six games in all competitions for Derry with Tiernan Lynch's first season in charge threatening to fizzle out. READ MORE Six-times winners Derry were out to avenge last year's FAI Cup final defeat to the Co Louth men found themselves behind after two minutes. Andrew Quinn, who scored the first goal in that 2-0 cup final victory at the Aviva Stadium last November, broke the deadlock for the Boynesiders after just two minutes. Swansea City loanee Josh Thomas did brilliantly to cut the ball back into the defender's path after a quickly worked free-kick and Quinn sidefooted it into the net at the near post. It was a disastrous start for Derry and it could have been a lot worse but for Brian Maher's heroics when producing a stunning save to deny Ryan Brennan's close range effort on the hour mark. Five minutes later Duffy produced a moment of magic to send the game into extra-time with his ninth FAI Cup goal for his hometown club and his ninth of the season. Luke Dennison denied Ronan Boyce's point-blank header with an instinctive save during stoppage time in the first half of extra-time. Derry skipper Mark Connolly had the ball in the back of the Drogheda net late on but referee Rob Harvery ruled his header out for a foul on Conor Keeley in the build-up. Ben Doherty was shown a straight red card in stoppage time at the end of extra-time for dissent after Duffy felt he should have had a penalty kick. The match was to be decided on penalties and Dennison saved twice before Lambe fired home the winner emphatically to send the holders through. Drogheda got off to the perfect start and silenced the Brandywell attendance with the opening goal after two minutes. From a quickly taken free-kick, Welshman Thomas raced past Adam O'Reilly and got to the byline before cutting it back to Quinn who sidefooted home. Moments later Thomas raced onto on tong ball over the top and got beyond Derry's last man but his strike on the half-volley from 25 yards went wide of the post. It was a sluggish start from the Candystripes and they were fortunate not to be further punished when skipper Mark Connolly gifted Warren Davis possession deep inside the Derry half. He drove towards goal before finding Markey in support but the midfielder's strike from the edge of the box sailed over. The home side finally carved open space in the resolute Drogs' defence on 18 minutes when Gavin Whyte dipped his shoulder, turned James Bolger before firing a shot goalwards and straight into the hands of Luke Dennison. Moments later Derry had claims for a penalty kick. Duffy found Fleming just inside the penalty area and the former Hull City wingback went down under the challenge of Owen Lambe but referee Rob Harvey was unimpressed and play continued. The Brandywell outfit were warming to the task and when Akinyemi dropped deep to receive the ball outside a crowded penalty area, the Londoner sidestepped Conor Keeley before his powerful strike was turned over the crossbar by Dennison. Diallo dragged a shot wide of the target before Winchester tried his luck from distance but the home crowd were becoming increasingly frustrated. Thomas once again almost capitalised on a misplaced pass from Diallo in the middle of the park but Connolly recovered well to stop his run on the edge of the Derry box. The Derry team were booed off at the break and needed a big second half to salvage their cup hopes and indeed, their season which threatened to fall apart. It was Drogheda who came closest to adding a second when Keeley's effort at the back post was turned behind at his near post by Brian Maher on 56 minutes. Derry boss Lynch went to his bench and made four substitutions in an attempt to swing the game in his favour as Liam Boyce, Danny Mullen, Ronan Boyce and Ben Doherty entered the fray. Ronan Boyce crossed into a crowded penalty area and Liam Boyce chested the ball into the path of Akinyemi but Quinn did brilliantly to deny the striker a shot on goal. It broke to Winchester but his close range strike was deflected behind for a corner. Liam Boyce was making a positive impact and when he turned neatly on to his right foot and curled towards goal on 64 minutes, Dennison acrobatically tipped it over the bar. Maher kept Derry in the game with a stunning reactionary save to deny Brennan's goalbound header from Markey's free-kick with 20 minutes to go. Derry were back on level terms in emphatic fashion on 73 minutes and it was talisman Duffy with a stunning strike to beat Dennison. O'Reilly found Mullen on the right wing and the Scotsman picked out Duffy in space on the edge of the 18 yard box. The Derry man turned on to his left foot and drilled his strike into the roof of the net. It was his ninth of the season and arguably his most important this season. With 60 seconds to go Derry were pressing for a winner but this time Duffy's left footed strike from distance went harmlessly over the bar. Derry were in the ascendancy as the tie entered extra time and Mullen tested Dennison with a thunderous strike from 25 yards but the Drogs' keeper punched it clear. Drogheda sub Fuhad Kareem barged Sam Todd out of the way before taking down a long punt upfield but the striker fired high and wide to waste a promising attack. Dennison somehow saved from point-blank range to deny Ronan Boyce's header from Duffy's cross in added time at the end of the first half of extra-time. Connolly wheeled away to celebrate what he felt was the winner in front of the North Stand but referee Rob Harvey penalised the Derry skipper for a foul on Keeley before heading Ben Doherty's corner into the net. John O'Sullivan had a great chance to win it deep into stoppage time but curled his shot wide of the far post. There was controversy in the dying moments of extra-time when Duffy went down inside the box but the match referee waved play on. The Derry players were remonstrating with the official and Doherty received a straight red card for dissent to the annoyance of the home crowd. The tie was to be decided on penalties and it was American stopper Dennison who proved the hero, saving from Jamie Stott and Mullen while Adam Frizzell fired high over the crossbar. Drogheda were clinical with Keeley and Thomas Ulowa sending Maher the wrong way before Lambe fired home the winner as the cup holders progressed to the last eight. Derry City: Maher; O'Reilly, Bannon (Doherty 59), Connolly, Stott, Fleming (R. Boyce 59); Diallo (L. Boyce 59, Todd 102), Winchester; Whyte (Mullen 59), Duffy; Akinyemi (Frizzell 93). Drogheda United: Dennison; Lambe, Kane (Cruise 98), Quinn, Keeley, Bolger (Cooper 71), Brennan (O'Sullivan 97), Farrell (Heeney 65); Markey, Davis (Kareem 94), Thomas (Oluwa 71). Referee: Robert Harvey (Dublin).
The Irish Sun
7 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Kevin Doherty hails ‘brilliant' Luke Dennison after Drogheda keeper secures fourth clean sheet in a row
Drogheda United boss Kevin Doherty has lauded goalkeeper Luke Dennison after his fourth successive shutout kept their European football hopes alive KEVIN DOHERTY paid tribute to goalkeeper Luke Dennison after his side picked up another clean sheet on Friday night. It was Dennison's fourth shutout on the spin as the Drogs played out a scoreless draw with Waterford. Advertisement 2 Drogheda United manager Kevin Doherty hailed after a fourth clean sheet in a row 2 Drogheda United goalkeeper Luke Dennison has been in fine form But it keeps them dreaming of European qualification after missing out this year due to a breach of Uefa's multi-club ownership rules. Dennison has helped marshal a defence that has been one of the meanest in the Premier Division this season — shipping just 25 goals in 27 matches. But the American — who joined Drogheda from Bohemians last summer — had to be alert to keep his fine record intact as he denied Blues' Conan Noonan from distance. And his boss Doherty said: 'He's brilliant. Advertisement 'It's all good in hindsight but Luke was in the stand at Dalymount so it was a really good signing by us.' Friday's clean sheet was Dennison's 14th of the season in all competitions and no keeper has made more saves in the top flight than him. And Doherty was quick to hail the keeper who slotted in perfectly for Ireland Under-21 international Andrew Wogan. The Drogs chief added: 'I had no doubts. Advertisement 'He's just so calm when he needs to be and is a bit mad when he needs to be as well. 'He pulls off saves and keeps the ball out of the net. That's what goalkeepers do. Benjamin Sesko is paraded around Old Trafford after completing £74million transfer 'It's not 'he', it's not just the defenders either, it's the attackers who defend but he's been absolutely excellent. 'I know it's really basic but he keeps the ball out of the net. Advertisement 'There's a lot more to goalkeeping nowadays and I'm not saying Luke can't do that but he's just so comfortable. 'He's very calm and he commands his box. 'He's a good fella, as they all are.' On Friday's stalemate at home, the United boss was not too downbeat that this team had missed the chance to go clear in second place. Advertisement They sit level on 42 points with Derry City — who they face in the FAI Cup last 16 on Saturday in a repeat of last year's Aviva Stadium showpiece. Doherty explained: 'We've beaten Waterford here already, Sligo here twice and we've beaten Galway here. 'We don't struggle to beat teams who would be perceived to be in and around us. 'Better teams than us have drawn games, I can assure you. Advertisement 'We're not happy or satisfied with a point, we never are. 'It was a decent contest without loads of quality moments at either end. It shows you how far we've come. 'For me to be disappointed and whatever, shows you how far we've come in a seriously short space of time
RTÉ News
16-05-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Derry escape Drogheda with a point after late stroke of luck
Derry City boss Tiernan Lynch had one of his substitutes to thank for the point his team took away from Sullivan & Lambe Park as Dom Thomas' first Candystripes goal earned them a late draw away to Drogheda United. The clock had just entered the 90th minute of play when Thomas struck a speculative effort from range that Drogheda goalkeeper Luke Dennison looked to have covered. However, a huge deflection off Ryan Brennan saw the ball divert course and trickle into the far corner of the net with Dennison stranded. Brennan was the late hero in United's last home game but the tables had turned here. Drogheda looked set fair to bounce back from last week's disappointing defeat at Tallaght Stadium with yet another victory over City in recent times. For much of this game, it looked like they could extend their winning sequence against these opponents to four games. Elicha Ahui was Player of the Match in November's FAI Cup final against Derry, shackling Michael Duffy so impressively that day. He had also previously scored a winner against Foylesiders, a little over two years ago. He was at it again here, heading in Owen Lambe's corner five minutes before the break. Shane Farrell, United's set piece specialist, was suspended but they didn't suffer, with the Californian providing quality from the dead ball. The visitors created nothing in the opening 75 minutes of play. Dennison was untroubled and the United defence, marshalled superbly by Conor Keeley, looked solid. Lynch brought on striker Danny Mullen for makeshift wing back Ciaron Harkin at half time but it was his substitutes later in the game that proved pivotal. Pat Hoban went close to a leveller but he struck his effort into the ground rather than true. He had scored plenty of goals against Drogheda over the years, mostly for Dundalk and recently for Derry. United should have had a second but on two occasions, Thomas Oluwa couldn't score. His first shot was wide, his second effort was a header saved by Brian Maher. Kevin Doherty had earlier in the day signed a new two-year contract to commit his future to the Louth club. His day will have been spoiled somewhat by the nature of Drogs' late concession however. Scottish midfielder Thomas – another substitute - picked a perfect time to notch his first goal for the Candystripes. When Thomas took aim late on, it took a huge deflection off Drogs captain Brennan and trickled in. Drogheda United: Luke Dennison; Elicha Ahui, Conor Keeley, James Bolger; Owen Lambe, Ryan Brennan, Luke Heeney, Conor Kane; Warren Davis (Bridel Bosakani, 88); Douglas James-Taylor (Scott Brady, 75), Thomas Oluwa.
Irish Independent
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
League of Ireland: Tonight's action as it happened
Here's how the action unfolded. Key updates 90+3' GOAL! Rory Gaffney adds the extras! Shamrock Rovers 3 - Drogheda United 0 A long ball over the top is chased down by Micheal Noonan who gets to it just before Luke Dennison. It's brave from the 16-year-old who gets the flick on it before colliding with the Drogs shot-stopper. Rory Gaffney is afforded the easiest of tap-ins! Shels snatch it late on! Shelbourne 2 - Athletic 1 GOAL! Shelbourne. 2-1. Kerr McInroy wriggles free in the box to drill a left footer under the body of Joseph Anang. Good play from sub John O'Sullivan to help fashion the opportunity. Hell of a second half turnaround. - Dan McDonnell Derry back in the ascendancy! Cork City 1 - Derry City 2 The travelling Candystripe fans celebrate as Danny Mullen, who was excellent in Derry's win over last Monday, fires Tiernan Lynch's side ahead with just 8 minutes of normal time remaining. It's the Djenairo show once again! Cork City 1 - Derry City 1 Having netted a brace on bank holiday Monday, 23-year-old Dutch forward Djenairo Daniels has equalised for Tim Clancy's side in the 61st-minute at Turners Cross. The delivery from the left was inch perfect as Daniels raced in bravely to get the crucial touch. 53' GOAL! Lee Grace doubles the Hoops' lead! Shamrock Rovers 2 - Drogheda United 0 Jack Byrne puts it on a plate for Matt Healy on the edge of the box. Healy's shot is superbly saved by Luke Dennison who pushes it out for a corner. But hold on a minute! Jack Byrne's corner is on the money as Lee Grace finds space to plant his header inside the post. He and Roberto Lopes were queuing up to thump it home! 50' GOAL! Aaron Greene with a beauty! Shamrock Rovers 1 - Drogheda United 0 Lee Grace is the architect of the move as he plays a lovely ball from the right sideline up to Greene. The 35-year-old marksman takes a touch on his chest inside the box before lashing it past Luke Dennison with his weaker foot. That's his 101st-goal in the League of Ireland! Shels equalise as Dan McDonnell reports! Shelbourne 1 - Athletic 1 It's 1-1. Big moment in Tolka. Chris Forrester goes down injured in a freak accident trying to intercept a crossfield pass from Kerr McInroy. He stays down and Shels continue with the extra man. Evan Caffrey crosses for Harry Wood to score after Duff urges his Reds to keep playing. And that's the end of Forrester's contribution. Barry Baggley is introduced. Waterford take the lead at the RSC! Waterford 1 - Galway United 0 The Blues take the lead against John Caulfield's side as Darragh Leahy converts in the 27th-minute. It's hard to see who actually got the final touch in Conan Noonan's corner, but Leahy claimed it anyway - why not! Centre-halves don't get to celebrate goals that often! Melia magic opens the scoring in Drumcondra! Shelbourne 0 - Athletic 1 It's 1-0 Pat's. Mason Melia breaks the deadlock - deserved after a spell where they've been on top. Sean Hoare nicked the ball from John Martin and Leavy laid the ball on for the Spurs bound striker who finishes really well. - Dan McDonnell Derry stun Turners Cross into silence! Cork City 0 - Derry City 1 And suddenly we have the first goal of the Premier Division's Matchday 15 as Gavin Whyte sets up Liam Boyce for the opener. Cork goalkeeper Tein Troost will come into question again as he raced from his line to close Whyte down who got the cross away for Boyce to tap in. The Candystripes have been on fire lately and Tiernan Lynch will be delighted with that goal in the 24th-minute. League of Ireland Premier Division (full-time) Cork City 1 - Derry City 2 Shelbourne 2 - Athletic 1 Waterford 1 - Galway United 0 Shamrock Rovers 3 - Drogheda United 0 League of Ireland First Division Dundalk 2 - Bray Wanderers 2 Finn Harps 0 - Athlone Town 2 Kerry 1 - Treaty United 0 UCD 1 - Longford Town 1 Wexford 0 - Cobh Ramblers 2 2 minutes ago Sean O'Connor puts the seal on things at Tallaght Stadium: Full-time here in Tallaght and Shamrock Rovers have beaten Drogheda 3-0. Two quick-fire goals from Aaron Greene and Lee Grace put the hosts in the driving seat and an injury-time strike by Rory Gaffney off the bench put the cherry on top. Rovers go top (on goal difference) for the first time this season, after extending their unbeaten run over the Louth side to eight games. 3 minutes ago Dan McDonnell signs off on yet another Dublin derby: Full-time: Shelbourne 2 St Patrick's Athletic 1. A hell of a second half turnaround. Pat's looked the part in the first half and had their chances in the second but they leave Tolka with nothing. Could be a big momentum win for Shels. 6 minutes ago Full-time: All over in Tallaght as Shamrock Rovers cruise to victory! It was a routine night for Stephen Bradley's side in the end as second-half goals from Aaron Greene, Lee Grace and Rory Gaffney wrapped up the points. 'We are top of the league' is the cry from the Hoops' fans as their superior goal difference takes them past Derry City who are also on 26 points. 8 minutes ago GOAL! Dundalk 2 - Bray Wanderers 2 (full-time) Just as Ciaran Kilduff's side looked like they were about to taste a rare defeat, Sean Keogh finds substitute Gbemi Arubi to equalise in the 93rd-minute. 10 minutes ago 90+3' GOAL! Rory Gaffney adds the extras! Shamrock Rovers 3 - Drogheda United 0 A long ball over the top is chased down by Micheal Noonan who gets to it just before Luke Dennison. It's brave from the 16-year-old who gets the flick on it before colliding with the Drogs shot-stopper. Rory Gaffney is afforded the easiest of tap-ins! Virgin Media Sport on Twitter / X Rory Gaffney makes it 3-0 after some good pressure from Michael Noonan!#LOI Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) May 9, 2025 External contentWhen displaying external content, data is transferred to third parties. 12 minutes ago 90+1' Ed McGinty claims an easy cross on what has been a quiet night for the Hoops' goalkeeper. We will have 4 minutes of additional time to play in Tallaght. Aaron Green, who netted his 101st League of Ireland goal is the Man of the Match! 14 minutes ago Shels snatch it late on! Shelbourne 2 - Athletic 1 GOAL! Shelbourne. 2-1. Kerr McInroy wriggles free in the box to drill a left footer under the body of Joseph Anang. Good play from sub John O'Sullivan to help fashion the opportunity. Hell of a second half turnaround. - Dan McDonnell 16 minutes ago GOAL! Dundalk 1 - Bray Wanderers 2 (89 mins) Unbelievable scenes in Oriel Park as the 10-men of Bray, who lost Cian Doyle to a second yellow card in the 68th-minute, have taken the lead late on! Harvey Warren could be the hero on the night with the late goal for Wanderers! 19 minutes ago 84' Jack Byrne, who was excellent again tonight, is withdrawn alongside Josh Honohan. Cian Barrett is in for the Hoops, as is Victor Ozhianvuna. 25 minutes ago Derry back in the ascendancy! Cork City 1 - Derry City 2 The travelling Candystripe fans celebrate as Danny Mullen, who was excellent in Derry's win over last Monday, fires Tiernan Lynch's side ahead with just 8 minutes of normal time remaining. 30 minutes ago 73' A couple of changes made by Stephen Bradley sees Micheal Noonan replace goalscorer Aaron Greene who receives a round of applause. Meanwhile, 21-year-old Kieran Cruise is into the game for Drogheda. 32 minutes ago GOAL! Finn Harps 0 - Athlone Town 2 (73 mins) Athlone Town have doubled their lead in Ballybofey as Gideon Tetteh nets a second goal. 38 minutes ago Dan McDonnell notes the love-hate relationship between Duffer and Mipo in the last few minutes: The main stand in Tolka Park left in no doubt about Damien Duff's feelings about Mipo Odubeko attempting a short from 40 yards after Shels turned the ball over and found themselves in a 3 v 3. 'Mipo, F**k off' is the shout from the sideline. Minutes earlier, Duff encroached onto the pitch to give the striker a pat on the back in an attempt to encourage him to keep pressing. Duff has just been yellow carded for leaving his technical area. He's not happy with the fourth official, arguing that he's not being as vigilant with the other bench. 'One f**king job' he screams at Oliver Moran. 40 minutes ago 63' Kevin Doherty has made a pair of changes in the last few minutes as he hopes to salvage something for Drogheda. Thomas Oluwa and James Bolger have replaced George Cooper and Ryan Brennan. 43 minutes ago It's the Djenairo show once again! Cork City 1 - Derry City 1 Having netted a brace on bank holiday Monday, 23-year-old Dutch forward Djenairo Daniels has equalised for Tim Clancy's side in the 61st-minute at Turners Cross. The delivery from the left was inch perfect as Daniels raced in bravely to get the crucial touch. League of Ireland on Twitter / X The hosts are level!Djenaior Daniels on the scoresheet again to equalise for Cork City. League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) May 9, 2025 External contentWhen displaying external content, data is transferred to third parties. 48 minutes ago Sean O'Connor shares his thoughts on a blistering few minutes for Stephen Bradley's side: After 45 minutes of dominance in the first-half yielded no goals, it takes Rovers just four minutes after the restart to take the lead. A superb long ball by Lee Grace finds Aaron Greene who takes a touch and fires it into the net for his 101st LOI goal. What a finish! And it's two goals in three minutes here for Rovers. Lee Grace provided the assist for the first but he's scored the second, heading home from a Jack Byrne corner. An absolutely perfect start to the second half for the hosts. 49 minutes ago 53' GOAL! Lee Grace doubles the Hoops' lead! Shamrock Rovers 2 - Drogheda United 0 Jack Byrne puts it on a plate for Matt Healy on the edge of the box. Healy's shot is superbly saved by Luke Dennison who pushes it out for a corner. But hold on a minute! Jack Byrne's corner is on the money as Lee Grace finds space to plant his header inside the post. He and Roberto Lopes were queuing up to thump it home! Virgin Media Sport on Twitter / X 𝐋𝐄𝐄 𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐄! ☘️Great header to make it 2-0! #LOI Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) May 9, 2025 External contentWhen displaying external content, data is transferred to third parties. 52 minutes ago 50' GOAL! Aaron Greene with a beauty! Shamrock Rovers 1 - Drogheda United 0 Lee Grace is the architect of the move as he plays a lovely ball from the right sideline up to Greene. The 35-year-old marksman takes a touch on his chest inside the box before lashing it past Luke Dennison with his weaker foot. That's his 101st-goal in the League of Ireland! Virgin Media Sport on Twitter / X 𝐆𝐎𝐀𝐋 𝟏𝟎𝟏!Aaron Greene on target once again for @ShamrockRovers and what a finish that is! ☘️#LOI Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) May 9, 2025 55 minutes ago 48' Frustration for Drogheda to start the second half as Conor Kane gets in behind the Hoops' defence. He looked an acre onside but the linesman saw things differently! Kane is incensed at the decision.
